Tom Cunanan, Filipino chef and owner of Washington D.C. restaurant Bad Saint has just won the award for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic at this year’s James Beard Awards. Cunanan’s win comes after being nominated for Best Chef three years in a row now. He beat finalists Centrolina chef/owner Amy Brandwein and Cindy Wolfe of Charleston Restaurant in Baltimore. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d be up here,” said Cunanan in his acceptance speech.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BxJIxQrBSjC/?utm_source=ig_embed

The Filipino chef served as a sous chef at Vidalia, Zentan, and D.C. Coast before opening Bad Saint back in 2015 to rave reviews and a loyal following. The restaurant even earned a number two spot Best New Restaurant in America from Bon Appetit.

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to receive all the tools and solutions entrepreneurs need to stay updated on the latest news in the industry