SAN DIEGO — The executive chef of downtown restaurant Animae has been nominated for a 2024 James Beard Award for the first time in San Diego history.
Tara Monsod was named a final nominee for a James Beard Award in the category of Best California Chef. She is now the first San Diego chef to become a James Beard finalist in the award's 34-year history.
Monsod, along with four other chefs across the state, were nominated on Wednesday. The James Beard Award will be presented to the winner in Chicago on June 10.
“I really have no words to truly express how I’m feeling, I’m grateful and honored for the recognition. I couldn’t have done any of this without the support from my incredible team, family, friends, and community. This is only the beginning, we’re going to keep pushing the culture and industry forward,” Monsod said in a statement to CBS 8.
Monsod, 39, has more than a decade of experience at restaurants across San Diego County.
During her tenure at Downtown San Diego’s Asian-fusion restaurant Animae, Monsod has been celebrated for her reinvention of dishes that celebrate her Filipino heritage.
Monsod was recently announced as the executive chef of Le Coq, a modern French steakhouse from Puffer Malarkey Collective that is expected to open in La Jolla in June 2024.
The James Beard Award was established in 1990 and remains one of the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors.
Each year the organization recognizes the highest level of talent and achievement in culinary arts, hospitality, media and more.
Here are the nominees for 2024 James Beard Award nominees for Best Chef: California
- Geoff Davis, Burdell, Oakland, CA
- Rogelio Garcia, Auro, Calistoga, CA
- Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord, Los Angeles, CA
- Tara Monsod, Animae, San Diego, CA
- Buu "Billy" Ngo, Kru, Sacramento, CA
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