Tampa Chef Bryce Bonsack Finalist for James Beard Best Chef: South Award

Chef Bryce Bonsack earned a spot as a finalist for the James Beard Award in the Best Chef: South category. He competes against four others.

Bonsack operates Rocca Tampa, which snagged a Michelin star last year. His restaurant group also runs Bar Terroir and Streetlight Taco, both drawing praise from diners and critics. At 37, he's built an empire that spans the city.

The Beard Awards differ from Michelin ratings in scope and selectivity. They cover whole regions instead of individual cities. Bonsack faces stiff competition from chefs in New Orleans, Atlanta, Charleston, Miami, and Savannah — all food-obsessed towns with deep roots.

His Tastes Pretty Good hospitality group manages several spots around Tampa. A Spanish wood-fired restaurant is coming to North Hyde Park soon, adding another layer to his work.

According to That's So Tampa, the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony happens on Monday, June 15, in Chicago. That's when we'll know who wins.

Tampa's food scene has shifted over the past few years. Bonsack sits at the front of this transformation, pulling the city into conversations about serious cooking.

Five chefs made the cut for Best Chef: South. The award spans multiple states, making it one of the tougher wins in American cooking.

Rocca Tampa serves as the anchor for Bonsack's restaurant group, and that Michelin star changed everything for the city's reputation. Bar Terroir and Streetlight Taco have since collected their own accolades, proving his range across different styles and price points.

Chicago hosts the ceremony in June, where finalists from every category gather. Winners accept their awards in front of colleagues, journalists, and the people who shape how Americans eat.