Husband-wife culinary duo among 8 KC bars, restaurants named James Beard semifinalists

Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter.

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Many of Kansas City’s best-regarded culinary luminaries are represented in the nominations, including The Town Company and Chewology; But the list also includes some restaurants off the beaten path

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Taiwanese Street food by James Beard semifinalist Katie Liu-Sung; photo courtesy of Chewology

Best Chef-Midwest: Katie Liu-Sung, Chewology

This is the second year Katie Liu-Sung’s Chewology, located in Westport, was honored as a James Beard semifinalist with her menu of world-class Taiwanese street food. Liu-Sung said she’s humbled by the honor and more prepared for the hype that comes with the territory.

“Last year was really like a big shock, and it’s still a shock for sure,” Liu-Sung said. “I talked to the staff to thank them for everything. Now we’ll just keep on doing what we do and nothing like big changes.”

Among Chewology’s dinner offerings are: Dan Dan, a spicy peanut ramen with pork, peanut chili, peppercorn, green onion and cilantro. There’s also Liu-Sung’s Taiwanese Beef Noodle with beef shank with pickled mustard relish, bok choy, green onion, cilantro and chili bomb.

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Best Chef-Midwest: Johnny Leach, The Town Company

Executive Chef Johnny Leach and his wife, Executive Pastry Chef Helen Jo Leach, create seasonal menus together featuring elevated versions of popular Midwestern dishes.

“We love Kansas City,” Leach said. “We love being able to contribute to the local dining climate here, and just to be acknowledged on this platform is just huge. It really makes us feel great.”

The Town Company earned two nominations this year for the restaurant’s upscale cuisine with carefully sourced ingredients. This is the third year in a row that Johnny Leach has been singled out for James Beard recognition.

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Saltwell Farm Kitchen, in Overbrook, Kansas, offers food that celebrates local farms, farmers and makers; photo courtesy of Saltwell Farm Kitchen

Best Chef-Midwest: Rozz Petrozz, Saltwell Farm Kitchen

This Kansas restaurant is named for the salty wells built on the original 1856 McKinzie Farmstead. Saltwell Farm Kitchen is in Overbrook, Kansas, 20 minutes west of Lawrence.

The hamlet is nestled in a grove of walnut trees, and they offer food that celebrates local farms, farmers and makers.

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Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: Jay Sanders, Wild Child

Jay Sanders’ speakeasy Drastic Measures, made the James Beard Semifinalist list two years in a row. Now, its sister bar Wild Child, made the cut with its wide range of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks like “The Wayfaring Stranger: turmeric root-infused rye whiskey as well as strega, lemon, ginger and garam masala foam topped with tomato dust.

When he heard the news, Sanders was waiting in line at an Asian grocery store to buy bitter melon for a special event at Wild Child.

Sanders said that while he is pleased to be named, he said he felt it was important to acknowledge the talented staff behind the bar.

Wild Child’s wide range of alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks like “The Wayfaring Stranger” Turmeric root infused rye whiskey. Strega, lemon, ginger, garam masala foam, topped with tomato dust; photo courtesy of Wild Child

“It feels weird to me because I can only do what I do because I have a whole team that does it with me,” Sanders said. “I’m not huge at accepting compliments. It’s just not my vibe, not how I was raised, you know?”

KCUR reported on Wild Child when it opened in 2023.

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Outstanding Bar: John Brown’s Underground

This Lawrence, Kansas, bar offers “Free Lawrence,” a drink made with bonded whisky blend, aged rum, brandy and a cocchi-demerara reduction and bitters.

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Other Missouri and Kansas restaurants

One more Kansas restaurant, Georges French Bistro in Wichita, Kansas, got the nod for Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua Panna Natural Spring Water.

The St. Louis area also had its fair share of nominations.

Seven names were recognized on the other side of Missouri, including competitors for Best Chef-Midwest. Read that roundup from St. Louis Public Radio.