A pandemic pop-up turned into an instant classic for Chef Janet Becerra, who used the unexpected time at home to perfect masa. Now the 2024 Emerging Chef finalist is serving up modern Mexican at Ravenna’s Pancita (5501 30th Ave NE), with a menu including albacore tuna tostada and choco flan. The 2021 Emerging Chef nominee Kristi Brown has gained a devoted following at Communion Restaurant & Bar (2350 E Union St) in the Central District, thanks to the Laotian Scotch eggs, neckbone stew, and other tempting dishes.

Aaron Verzosa earned his spot in the conversation for Outstanding Chef due to the must-try tasting menu experience at Hillman City’s Archipelago (5607 Rainier Ave S), acclaimed for telling the story of Filipino culture in the Pacific Northwest. Seif Chirchi and Rachel Yang snagged their nomination in the same category in 2022 for their work at Fremont’s Joule (3506 Stone Way N), a Korean fusion restaurant that’s still a hot spot more than 15 years after it debuted. Try the spicy rice cake with chorizo and pickled mustard greens.

In the Outstanding Restaurateur category, sisters Quynh-Vy and Yenvy Pham have gotten the nod two years in a row for their stewardship of pho’ restaurant Pho’ Bă’c (three locations), cocktail bar Pho’cific Standard Time (1923 Seventh Ave), and chicken rice shop The Boat (1314 S Jackson St). On the sipping side of things, Anu Apte’s Rob Roy (2332 Second Ave) was recognized in the Outstanding Bar Program category. Old-fashioneds with hand-carved ice and a saffron sandalwood sour created by Apte based on memories of India are served in a dark, intimate space in Belltown.

In the business of pastry perfection, self-taught baker Pamela Vuong—nominated for Outstanding Baker in 2022—makes hand-filled brioche doughnuts and other treats at The Flour Box (5520 Rainier Ave S) in Hillman City. Flavors rotate, but think buttery curd filling infused with fresh lemon and lime juice, topped with brown butter cookie, as just one example. No one would blame you for ordering every flavor—for compare-and-contrast research purposes, of course.