Jan. 26, 2023

Sioux Falls restaurateur Sanaa Abourezk has been named a James Beard Award semifinalist.

The owner of Sanaa’s 8th Street Gourmet in downtown Sioux Falls has been recognized in the category of outstanding chef for the region that includes South Dakota.

Joseph Raney of Skogen Kitchen in Custer also made the list of 20 Midwest semifinalists.

The James Beard Foundation’s restaurant and chef awards — established in 1990 and first awarded in 1991 — are one of five recognition programs from the foundation. The 2023 restaurant and chef semifinalists are recognized across 23 categories.

Nominees will be announced March 29, and winners will be celebrated at a ceremony June 5 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Abourezk began her restaurant in downtown Sioux Falls nearly 19 years ago. She’s also the author of multiple cookbooks.

Last year, Sioux Falls chef Michael Haskett of M.B. Haskett Delicatessen was among 20 semifinalists for the Midwest.