Robbie Robinson, the chef behind City Limits Barbeque in West Columbia, has earned a prestigious spot as a finalist in the upcoming James Beard Awards, making him the only nominee from South Carolina this year. The ceremony, often referred to as the culinary equivalent of the Oscars, will take place on June 16 in Chicago and will celebrate excellence across 25 categories dedicated to restaurants, chefs, and culinary professionals.
Robinson is being recognized in the Best Chef: Southeast category, which includes talented chefs from Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The James Beard Foundation, which established these awards in 1990, recognizes outstanding talent in the culinary field, although the awards were paused in 2020 and 2021 due to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The judging process for the awards involves anonymous judges sampling the cuisine of nominees as well as evaluating them based on a behavioral code of ethics, which includes how staff are treated in their workplaces. In a recent interview, Robinson discussed his journey into the food industry and the popularity of his restaurant, which often sees long lines every weekend, showcasing the strong community support for his culinary contributions.
For those interested in watching the awards ceremony, it will be livestreamed on eater.com, allowing fans of the culinary arts to witness the celebration of excellence in real time.
This recognition is a testament to Robinson’s talent and dedication to his craft, bringing pride to South Carolina’s vibrant culinary scene.