Dubbed the “Oscars” of the culinary world, this year’s winners of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards were announced Monday night at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Five chefs and restaurateurs in Miami originally made the semifinals, of which two were named finalists in the running for an award.
With the winners unveiled during the live ceremony, one single Miami chef made the Final Cut in the coveted Best Chef: South category: Valerie Chang of Maty’s. The Regional Best Chef Award honors those who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities, making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture while contributing positively to their broader community.
“Miami — finally — we won! We got something for Miami,” the Peruvian-born chef said while receiving her award, noting the awards that haven’t come by for the city’s chefs and restaurants in recent years.
Chang specializes in Peruvian cuisine, such as her signature oxtail saltado dish, drawing from her upbringing in Chiclayo. She first opened beloved Peruvian-Japanese restaurant Itamae in 2018, alongside her brother Nando Chang and father Fernando “Papa” Chang.
Maty’s became her first solo restaurant, opening its doors in Midtown in 2023. Named after her grandmother, the Peruvian restaurant has received a lot of recognition, from ranking No. 15 on Food & Wine’s 2024 list of “Top 20 Restaurants in the U.S.” to being named one of the best new restaurants in the nation for 2023 by Bon Appétit.
If you plan to check it out, we suggest making reservations as soon as possible as they are sure to get snatched up quickly!
Find Maty’s at 3255 NE 1st Ave, Miami, FL 33137.