Support Us Button Widget

Louisville chef Noam Bilitzer is a James Beard Award semifinalist

The Meesh Meesh chef has been named one of the best in the southeast.

A man wears a plaid shirt and an apron.

Noam Bilitzer opened MeeshMeesh in September 2023.

Photo courtesy MeeshMeesh

Yes, Chef.

The James Beard Foundation has named Louisville’s Noam Bilitzer of MeeshMeesh as a semifinalist for the 2025 James Beard Awards.

Founded in 1990, the annual awards are among the most prestigious in the culinary industry, recognizing leadership and excellence in the field. Bilitzer was recognized in the Best Chef: Southeast category alongside 19 other chefs from Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia.

Bilitzer opened MeeshMeesh in NuLu in September 2023, and Yelp recognized the Levantine-style Mediterranean spot as the No. 3 Best New Restaurant in America last year.

Will the former “Chopped” winner make the cut? Finalists will be announced on Wednesday, April 2 ahead of the ceremony on Monday, June 16 in Chicago.

Bonus: In 2024, two Louisville chefs were named semifinalists — Lawrence Weeks of North of Bourbon and Dallas McGarity of The Fat Lamb.

More from LOUtoday
If you’re looking for some haunted listening for your fall walks, we’ve got you covered.
Experience Louisville’s autumn magic at ColorFest, featuring vibrant fall foliage, family-friendly activities, and local food.
November is going to be a colorful month in Derby City, and there are plenty of places to look at the leaves before they fall.
Big changes are coming to TARC next year.
No cash? No problem. Whether you are spending a day or a lifetime in Louisville, these are some of the best offerings that won’t break the bank.
Bookmark this guide for a curated list of events taking place each month that we’re most looking forward to.
Discover the history of Louisville Cemetery — from prominent Black founders to Derby-winning jockey William Walker Sr. — in our latest look at the city’s historical markers.
We all get the munchies.
This marker notes the location of the Clark family home — some of which is still there.
Do you remember the 21st night of September? Join us on a trip down memory lane to see what Louisvillians were up to this week throughout the years.