Peninsula’s Jake Howell Brings Home the James Beard Gold!
Break out the fine sherry and give yourselves a little victory shimmy, Nashville! Chef Jake Howell of East Nashville’s beloved Iberian hotspot, Peninsula, just nabbed one of the culinary world’s highest honors: the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast.
Announced last night at the glitzy annual ceremony in Chicago, Howell took home the top honor after standing tall as Music City’s sole finalist in the category.
Here is what you need to know about the big night:
- The Category: Best Chef: Southeast
- The Winner: Jake Howell, Executive Chef and Co-Owner at Peninsula
- The Significance: Often dubbed the “Oscars of the food world,” this win highlights Howell as the lone Nashville finalist to take home a medal this year.
He faced off against incredible talent from across Kentucky and the Carolinas, but ultimately, his inventive, flavor-forward cooking brought the medallion home to Tennessee.
A massive congratulations to Chef Howell and the entire Peninsula team!