Two Oklahoma City chefs named finalists for James Beard Award

The Oklahoma City food scene is being recognized by the most prestigious group in the food industry. Two Oklahoma City chefs are now finalists for the James Beard Award.

Jeff Chanchaleune, chef and owner of Ma Der Lao Kitchen, and Andrew Black, chef at Grey Sweater, are both up for best chef in the Southwest. They’re competing against three other chefs, two from Nevada and one from New Mexico.

Chanchaleune said the nomination is “really surreal” and a “huge win.”

“It was always just a dream to win a James Beard Award,” Chanchaleune said. “Being one step closer is unbelievable, but it’s also validation that what we are doing at Ma Der is making a positive impact. This nomination is a huge win for Oklahoma City, the state of Oklahoma and the entire Lao community across the United States.”

Chanchaleune has been cooking Japanese food for more than 20 years. He opened Ma Der Lao Kitchen in September 2021. Ma Der is a Lao phrase that means “come eat” or “come thru!”

“To get this kind of recognition for cooking my culture's cuisine in a neighborhood I grew up in is humbling and so gratifying,” he said.

Chanchaleune said the restaurant is built around the food and memories he had while growing up, including his personal take and expression on the food his mother, grandmothers and father made.

Chef Black was also a semifinalist for the James Beard Award in 2022. Born in Jamaica, Black said he was often tasked with building outdoor clay ovens for his grandmother as a child. He moved to Oklahoma City 15 years ago.

Black said the nomination represents not only the hard work of his team, but also the incredible connection Grey Sweater has with the community.

“Me and the team at Grey Sweater show up every day striving to be better than we were yesterday, but the community also had to show up and to say out loud that they love what we're doing and that we should keep doing it,” Black said.

The James Beard Awards recognizes exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability and a culture where all can thrive, according to a press release.

Florence Kemp, owner and founder of Florence’s Restaurant, won Oklahoma’s first-ever James Beard award last year. Kemp received the America’s Classics Award given to locally owned restaurants that have timeless appeal and are beloved regionally for quality food that reflects the character of its community.

To view the full list of nominations and honorees, visit the Foundation website, Blog | James Beard Foundation.

Winners will be announced June 5.