Two chefs with Charleston roots nominated for James Beard Awards

Two chefs with Charleston ties are in contention for prestigious cooking awards.

Chase Collier, the head chef at Ristorante Abruzzi inside GoMart Ballpark, has been named a semifinalist in the James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef Southeast, while William Dissen, a Charleston native, is in the category of “Outstanding Chef.”

Dissen is the head chef at The Market Place in Asheville, North Carolina, who had to temporarily shut down after Hurricane Helene hit the city.

Chef Paul Smith, the head chef at 1010 Bridge Road in Charleston, won the James Beard Award in 2024.