Tastemaker Awards

The top 10 chefs in Dallas for 2022 give the city some culinary wow

Meat with popcorn is totally something that a chef would do.

Photo courtesy of Ellie's

We've reached the grand finale of our 2022 CultureMap Dallas Tastemaker Awards, an annual celebration shining a light on the city's top culinary talent.

It's been an exciting editorial series honoring Dallas' best food & beverage professionals and institutions, nominated by a panel of judges consisting of former CultureMap Tastemaker Award winners and local F&B experts, alongside Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year, Bar of the Year, Best New Pizza, Best Wine Program, Best Restaurant, Bartender of the Year, Brewery of the Year, Pastry Chef, and Rising Star Chef.

Winners will be revealed at our Tastemaker Awards party on May 12 at Fashion Industry Gallery, emceed by comedian CJ Starr, when attendees get to dine on bites from nominated restaurants and find out what the buzz is all about. (Tickets are on sale here.)

Our final entry is for the Top 10 Chefs. This one is about the chefs who are at the top of their game, either running or owning their own restaurant — the experts, the veterans, overseeing everything from careful chef-driven bistros to sprawling hotel operations.

These are our nominees for 2022 Chef of the Year:

Jimmy Phillips, Omni Dallas
Phillips is a Texas native who began his career at a culinary program in Florida. He built his resume at various resorts, traveling from city to city until he met his wife and moved to Washington DC to be close to family. He worked at the Fairmont Washington DC for 16 years, then returned to Texas in 2016. In 2020, he joined the Omni team as a task force chef to help several hotels throughout the pandemic, then became Omni Dallas as the Restaurant Executive Chef at Omni Dallas in 2021. His passions are coastal cuisine, plus exploring Thai, Eastern Indian, and authentic Mexican food.

Ji Kang, Sloane's Corner
Kang is well traveled and educated, having earned not only a culinary arts degree from The Art Institutes but also a degree in finance from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He's staged in Europe and cooked at prestigious New York restaurants and institutions such as the Plaza Hotel, Blanca, Atera, and Betony, with name chefs such as David Burke, Scott Conant, and Tom Colicchio. in Dallas, he worked at Dish and Samar by Stephan Pyles, before rejoining Dish founder Tim McEneny as corporate chef for NL Hospitality Group's portfolio of restaurants including Sloane's Corner, Pizza Leila and Dakota's Steakhouse.

Jared Harms, The Charles
A graduate of A&M with a bachelor's in nutrition science, Harms has worked with some of Dallas' biggest chef names, absorbing all of the best lessons he could. He worked for Rosewood Hotels & Resorts both with John Tesar and with Bruno Davaillon, and also worked with chef Sharon Hage at the acclaimed York Street. His first executive chef role at the Fairmount Hotel earned him a Tastemaker Awards nomination in 2019 for Rising Star Chef, as well as a spotlight on the hotel's in-house garden. He join the team at The Charles in 2021.

Taylor Kearney, Harwood Group
A graduate of the Arts Institute's culinary program, Kearney has had a colorful career, working at restaurants such as the Front Room, Boulevardier, Charlie Palmers, Nick & Sam's, Front Room, The Greek, and Restaurant Ava, as well as the Hilton hotel chain and even a restaurant in France. He's a highly experienced chef with 20 years in the hospitality industry focusing on culinary operations, concept growth, restaurant development. He's also a return Tastemaker Awards nominee, having been a finalist for Rising Star Chef in 2016.

Alfio Longo, Lombardi Concepts
Longo grew up near Florence and studied at the F. Martini Culinary & Hotel Management & Tourism Institute in Montecatini Terme, Tuscany. While working at Uno Piu Ristorante in Montecatini, he caught the eye of New York restaurateur Sirio Maccioni and joined the Maccioni Group family, working at restaurants in New York, Las Vegas, and Mexico City. He's also been a private chef. He came to Dallas to help open Circo Dallas, before joining Lombardi Concepts in 2021.

Jimmy Park, Shoyo
Park began his career at the famed Nobu chain, first in Aspen, then San Diego, where he was the only Korean chef on an all-Japanese staff. His next stop was Las Vegas, where he worked at Kabuto Edomae Sushi, a small secret kind of place with a set menu, before heading to Dallas to work at Nobu at the Hotel Crescent Court. He left to help opened Pok the Raw Bar in Dallas' West Village, and Nori Handroll Bar in Deep Ellum, but took his inspiration from Kabuto to open Shoyo, his omakase restaurant on Greenville Avenue that's the foodie buzz in Dallas since it debuted in 2021.

Michelle Vi Pepping, Chelle's Seafood Kitchen
A native of New Jersey and a graduate of the University of Texas at Dallas with a degree in business, Vi Pepping worked for years in the corporate world before opening Tasty Tails, a New Orleans seafood joint in 2013. Craving a fresh start, she rebranded it to Chelle's Seafood Kitchen, focused on East Coast-style seafood with an Asian twist. She opened Chelle's to showcase her two passions -- good food and charitable work. A percentage of all sales go towards local nonprofits that diners can suggest, while the menu is an ever-evolving rotation of seafood fare from all over the world.

Dan Landsberg, Ellie's
Landsberg joined Hall Arts Hotel following an 11-year tenure with ZaZa Hospitality where he led the culinary efforts at Dragonfly, assisting in concepting and directing operations across the brand. He's worked with a variety of established restaurants, chefs, and brands, including Stephan Pyles, Wynwood Hospitality, Tillman's Roadhouse, and Lange Twins Family Winery and Vineyard. A graduate of California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, Landsberg came to Dallas in 1996 to open Fog City Diner (now Truluck's), and also worked at Toscana.

Michelle Carpenter, Zen Sushi, Restaurant Beatrice
Born to a Japanese mother and Cajun father, Carpenter began her career in San Diego where she trained under several master "itamaes" to learn the craft of sushi. She worked at Mr. Sushi in Addison, then the top-rated Yamaguchi's in the Park Cities, the pre-eminent sushi bar at its time, where she was promoted to executive chef under Master Itamae Yama-San. She opened Zen Sushi in 2007, joining the Bishop Arts neighborhood well before it became the hipster zone it is today. In 2022, she opened Restaurant Beatrice, which she calls the new face of contemporary Cajun cuisine.

Casey La Rue, Carte Blanche
A native of California, La Rue bounced around working at restaurants, learning the craft on the job, in cities such as New York, Boston, and Las Vegas, and at places such as CoR Tapas & Wine in Phoenix, and Hancock Inn, a country inn on a farm in New Hampshire, along with his chef wife and partner Amy La Rue. They moved to Dallas in 2019 with an eye towards opening a restaurant, and began doing pop-up dinners that were like a 4-star "floating restaurant," featuring a high-end tasting menu focused on native Texas ingredients, prepared in a modern way.

chefs awards tastemakers bests

News you can eat

This Dallas restaurant news is hot and fresh for the new year

Paris Baguette/ Facebook

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Our first Dallas restaurant news roundup of 2026 is all about the new - new restaurants, new menus, new dishes, and new deals. Several local places are celebrating big anniversaries this year. Sadly, there are some closures, too.

Here's what's been happening on the Dallas restaurant scene the first two weeks of the year.

Paris Baguette, the booming Korean bakery cafe chain, opened a location in The Colony at 5105 Main St. Bldg. B on January 15. They serve more than a dozen cakes by the slice or the whole cake; pastries including croissants, tarts, Danish, and buns; savory baked goods such as quiche Lorraine; breads, salads, sandwiches; and Lavazza coffee. The Colony is the 12th location in the DFW area joining Allen, Carrollton, Coppell, Dallas, Flower Mound, Fort Worth, Frisco, Grand Prairie, Lewisville, Mansfield, and Plano.

Jo’Seon Wagyu Omakase, Dallas’ first Korean Wagyu omakase restaurant, opened its doors on December 3. Located at 1628 Oak Lawn Ave. in the Design District, Jo’Seon is led by chef and co-owner Danny Shin, with an unprecedented 12-course (or 18 courses, for those dining in the select, private rooms) Wagyu-themed omakase that fuses Japanese A5 Wagyu, Korean culinary techniques, and American influences of hospitality. Seating is limited, with only one seating for lunch and two seatings for dinner in the main room each day.

Adelmo's Ristorante, Dallas' longtime Italian restaurant, closed its location in Inwood Village on December 31 after a decade in the space. The eponymous restaurant was founded in 1989 by Adelmo Banchetti in the Knox Street district where it prevailed until 2015, when it was displaced by the area's dramatic upheaval. Banchetti relocated to Inwood Village, taking over the former Bijoux space. In a Facebook post, he says he plans to reopen in another location, still to be announced.

Coco Shrimp is coming to Wylie. Coco Shrimp

Coco Shrimp, the popular fast-casual restaurant that specializes in Hawaiian-style fried shrimp, is opening up shop in Wylie. According to social media posts, the newest location of the fast-growing chain - which started as a food truck in Fort Worth - is coming to 3040 E. FM 544, Suite. 400, Wylie. Opening day is TBD, but soon, they say.

MoMo Italian Kitchen in Lake Highlands is kicking off its 40th anniversary year with a rotating assortment of wine bottles at a discounted price of $40. The featured January wines are the Ciacci Piccolomini Toscana Rosso (Sangiovese and Syrah) and Il Monticello Rupestro Rosatto. They're also introducing a 40th anniversary special featuring a four-course dinner for two for $80, including two salads, two pastas, one antipasto and one dessert; available until February 7.

Shake Shack has brought back its popular Korean-style menu for a limited time. The menu features returning favorites like the K-Shack Fried Chicken Sandwich ($10.49) and K-Shack BBQ Burger ($10.49), as well as new items including saucy K-Shack Fried Chicken Bites ($6.49 for six pieces) and the K-Shack Spicy Caramel Shake (Gochujang caramel frozen custard topped with whipped cream and more gochujang caramel, $6.99). The menu is inspired by the team’s culinary trips to Seoul and the vibrant fried chicken scene that influenced the chain’s first South Korea location in 2016, they say.

Malai Kitchen is marking its 15th year in both Uptown Dallas and Southlake with a special Legacy Menu on Saturday, January 31 at both locations. The menu will feature 15 favorite dishes from the restaurant’s early days, priced at $15 each. Here are those 15: Large Thai Coconut Soup, Large Lemongrass Soup, Large Beef Viet Noodle Soup, Large Chk Viet Noodle Soup, Malai Favorite Sampler, Lemongrass Mussels, Chicken Pad Thai, Shrimp Pad Thai, Drunken Noodles, Iron Pot Green Chicken Curry, Panang Curry with Beef, Red Curry Icelandic Cod, Chilean Seabass, Vermicelli Salad with Chicken, and Vermicelli Salad with Meatballs.

Maple Leaf Diner has launched a new Weekday Features lunch menu, available Monday through Friday from 7 am-2:30 pm. The menu offers sandwiches such as Turkey Avocado Swiss and Grilled Turkey Melt, fresh salads, and starters. There are also combo options, including a $12.99 Sandwich Trio with a half sandwich, side, and house-made chips, along with lighter choices such as Avocado Toast and Chicken Avocado Salad.

Cru brunch New brunch menu offerings at Cru.Photo courtesy of Cru

CRÚ Wine Bar & Bistro introduced new dinner and brunch menus on January 5. They're showcasing Italian-inspired dishes and shareables designed for wine pairing. Developed with Dallas restaurant veteran Mark Brezinski, the menu includes Barolo-braised short rib over butternut squash risotto; Wagyu picanha steak with papas bravas and chimichurri; jumbo scallops atop spinach parmesan risotto; Roman-style pinsa pizzas; and indulgent desserts including chocolate fondue for two. Brunch offers Wagyu steak and eggs, short rib eggs Benedict, brioche French toast, and a smoked salmon board.

Komodo Dallas is shaking up its cocktail program with a collaboration with wellness brand Cymbiotika. The limited-time menu features drinks - both spirited or spirit-free - such as the Immunity Fizz, with Tito’s Vodka, elderberry immune support, and soda ($18); and the Tangerine Silk, a citrus-y mocktail made with Cymbiotika’s tangerine blend, yuzu, and lychee cordial ($16).

Bellagreen American Bistro is serving its Winter “Golden Glow” menu through February, featuring dishes built around anti-inflammatory ingredients like turmeric, ginger, sweet potatoes, kale, and wild rice. Offerings include a turmeric-ginger chicken soup, a butternut wild rice and arugula salad, a roasted veggie quinoa-kale bowl, seared salmon over turmeric cauliflower rice, and seasonal gluten-free desserts like peppermint and German chocolate cheesecake.

Torchy’s Tacos has started its 20th anniversary year with a new "Double Feature" deal: a complete meal for two for $20, featuring six street tacos, classic sides, and drinks. The January lineup also includes the return of the fan-favorite Tokyo Drifter Taco and a new Red Bull Strawberry Limeade mocktail.

Perry’s Steakhouse has launched Mini Martini Trios, including a zero-proof option. The Free-Spirited Mini Martini Trio ($15) features nonalcoholic cocktails such as the Clean Kick made with Seedlip Spice 94. January’s Mini Martini Trio of the Month includes three spirited drinks, including the "Straight" Paloma made with George Strait's Código 1530 Blanco tequila. The steakhouse is also offering off-menu dishes for a limited time, including escargot, turtle gumbo, beef Wellington, roasted wild red snapper, and white chocolate cheesecake.

Crispy Cones, an ice cream shop chain that appeared on Shark Tank, has opened a location in Plano, in a new center at 9613 Coit Rd. #108. It's an innovative concept that places as much attention on the cone as it does the ice cream. To read more about it, head here.

New protein-paced Omega Bowls at Fish City Grill.Photo courtesy of Fish City Grill

Fish City Grill & Half Shells has introduced menu items designed for health-minded diners in January. They include nutrient-packed Omega Bowls with 30+ grams of protein and rich in omega-3s; Seared Scallop Tacos with sweet potato, kale, and chipotle-avocado tartar ($19), Seared Black Cod with coconut orzo ($27); and Chicken Milanese with arugula, marinated tomatoes, and lemon aioli ($19).

Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe has been acquired by M Crowd Restaurant Group, parent company of Mi Cocina and The Mercury. M Crowd says it will focus on "strengthening Razzoo’s culinary identity, celebrating its handcrafted Cajun dishes, and elevating the guest experience." Early priorities, they say, "include optimizing heritage dishes, such as the Seafood Combo Platter and seasonal Crawfish boil, and refreshing the beverage program to complement the brand’s energetic atmosphere." Seven DFW locations of Razzoo's will remain open.

The PoBoy Shop, which had been open in Preston Center just since July 2025, suddenly closed its doors around the new year, citing rising costs of food and more. Early January saw a slew of sad Dallas closures, in fact. All local outposts of national chains Sprinkles Cupcakes and Salad and Go shuttered, too.

House of Dorchester, a British chocolate maker founded in 1963, is returning to the U.S. and offering select products in Barnes & Noble stores in time for Valentine's Day. Based in Dorchester, England and known for traditional chocolate-making techniques and elegant designs, the brand's Barnes & Noble offerings include Pink Marc de Champagne Truffles — truffles with a Marc de Champagne and strawberry center dusted with delicate icing sugar ($10.99 for four pieces).

Chick-fil-A is treating guests to a breakfast giveaway throughout January. Through January 30, customers can can open the Chick-fil-A App weekly to redeem a new breakfast offer, with the schedule as follows: Jan. 12-16: Chick-fil-A Chicken Biscuit or Spicy Chicken Biscuit; Jan. 19-23: Bacon or Sausage, Egg, & Cheese Biscuit; Jan. 26-30: four-piece Chick-fil-A Chick-n-Minis.

BJ's Brewhouse has teamed up with Butterfinger for a limited-time Butterfinger Pizookie dessert ($8.99). It combines BJ's freshly baked chocolate cookie with vanilla bean ice cream, a smooth, crackable chocolate shell, and generous Butterfinger pieces.

H-E-B is opening the doors to its newest DFW supermarket location, at 11700 US-80 in Forney, on Wednesday, January 28. As is the case with H-E-B stores, they'll open at 6 am with fanfare, including visits from company executives and city officials throughout the day.

Cinemark is celebrating National Popcorn Day on January 18 and 19 by letting moviegoers bring their own container to theaters to fill with popcorn for just $5. BYOB-fillable containers that are allowed include anything from a bucket to a cooler, up to 400 ounces, or even a Lowe’s 5-gallon bucket. Find out more about it here.

Pecan Lodge, the acclaimed BBQ restaurant in Deep Ellum, will be featured on select flights aboard American Airlines. The partnership begins in February for passengers in first class on flights from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to LaGuardia Airport (LGA) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK). The offering will consist of a barbecue platter with brisket, smoked sausage, mac & cheese, coleslaw, pickles, onions, and BBQ sauce.

Keith Lee, the food critic, social media influencer, and recent North Texas transplant, was named TikTok's 2025 Creator of the Year at the inaugural U.S. TikTok Awards. Lee has certainly made an impact on many local restaurants across Dallas-Fort Worth over the years, including reviewing buzzy concessions at the State Fair of Texas. His short-form video empire also scored him a featured speaker talk at Austin's South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in 2025.

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Teresa Gubbins and Amber Heckler contributed to this report.

news-you-can-eat openings menus anniversary event restaurant news