Elemi Chef Is Putting El Paso In The Spotlight For His Outstanding Culinary Skills

El Paso has been on a roll this past month and I am here for it! This time our city is in the spotlight all thanks to Elemi Chef, Emiliano Marentes.

Marentes has been named a semifinalist for an award that recognized culinary professionals all across the country, The prestigious James Beard Foundation Award.

Marentes is among 19 other semifinalists in the category of Outstanding Chef.

According to its website, The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability.

This isn’t the first time that Elemi has put El Paso in the spotlight. Back in June of 2020, Elemi was featured on the Hulu series "Taste The Nation."

Marentes is also among 37 other Texas restaurants that were named semifinalists for this year's James Beard Foundation Awards. James Beard Foundation Award winners will be announced on March 16.

Take a look at the other Texas restaurants nominated for this year’s James Beard Foundation Awards According to Texas Monthly:

Outstanding Restaurateur

Larry and Jessica Delgado, Delgado Collective, McAllen

Chris Williams, Lucille’s Hospitality Group, Houston

Outstanding Chef

Emiliano Marentes, Elemi, El Paso

Outstanding Restaurant

Mixtli, San Antonio

Emerging Chef

Edgar Rico, Nixta Taqueria, Austin

Amanda Turner, Olamaie, Austin

Best New Restaurant

Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House, San Leon

Roots Southern Table, Farmers Branch

Outstanding Pastry Chef

Ruben Ortega, Xochi, Houston

Sofia Tejeda, Mixtli, San Antonio

Outstanding Baker

David Cáceres, La Panadería, San Antonio

Maricsa Trejo, La Casita Bakeshop, Richardson

Outstanding Hospitality

Hugo’s, Houston

José, Dallas

Outstanding Wine Program

High Street Wine Co., San Antonio

Sachet, Dallas

Outstanding Bar Program

Julep, Houston

Las Almas Rotas, Dallas

Best Chef: Texas

Alex Au-Yeung, Phat Eatery, Katy

Damien Brockway, Distant Relatives, Austin

Aaron Bludorn, Bludorn, Houston

Sylvia Casares, Sylvia’s Enchilada Kitchen, Houston

Tiffany Derry, Roots Southern Table, Farmers Branch

Christine Ha and Tony J. Nguyen, Xin Chào, Houston

Quy Hoang, Blood Bros. BBQ, Bellaire

Kaiser Lashkari, Himalaya Restaurant, Houston

Matt McCallister, Homewood, Dallas

Steven McHugh, Cured, San Antonio

Misti Norris, Petra and the Beast, Dallas

Anastacia Quiñones-Pittman, José, Dallas

Esaul Ramos Jr., 2M Smokehouse, San Antonio

Felipe Riccio, March, Houston

Regino Rojas, Revolver Taco Lounge, Dallas

John Russ, Clementine, San Antonio

Ernest Servantes and David Kirkland, Burnt Bean Co., Seguin

Iliana de la Vega, El Naranjo, Austin

Finn Walter, The Nicolett, Lubbock

Koji Yoshida, Ebesu Robata & Sushi, Plano