Chefs Val Chang and Tristen Epps, Wynwood’s Zak the Baker bakery, Jesus Brazon and Manuel Brazon of Caracas Bakery and Miami Beach’s Macchialina are semifinalists in the 2024 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards.

Chang, of Maty’s in Midtown, and Epps, of Ocean Social, were named semifinalists in the Best Chef: South category. Zak the Baker was a finalist for Outstanding Bakery in the awards program for the last two years. Father and son bakers Manuel and Jesus, seminfinalists in the Outstanding Pastry Chef category, have two locations, in Doral and the MiMo district. Macchialina, the rustic Italian restaurant in Miami Beach, is a semifinalist in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program.