On May 2, sitting in a packed house at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, I found myself feeling more like a cheerleader than a journalist, shifting from dining critic to advocate. Go Gillespie. Let it be Satterfield’s turn. Staplehouse for the win!

So, when the best chef: Southeast award went to Tandy Wilson of City House in Nashville, and when Shaya in New Orleans was named best new restaurant, I was disappointed.

I was live-tweeting the chef and restaurant ceremonies. I reported the winners, then followed up with these remarks of 140 characters or less:

“Congrats to both @MillerUnionChef and @topchefkevin for amazing last year-plus. What would #ATL dining scene be without them? #jbfa”

“We are sure to see @staplehouseATL in #jbfa roll call for years to come. Cheers to an amazing start.”

If I felt disappointment at the outcome, what did those chefs feel?

MORE:

More on Staplehouse:

More on Kevin Gillespie, Revival and Gunshow:

More on Steven Satterfield and Miller Union:

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Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez