Noam Bilitzer opened MeeshMeesh in September 2023. | Photo courtesy MeeshMeesh
The James Beard awards are the top awards in the culinary world — think the Oscars, but for food. Louisville’s Noam Bilitzer, chef at Meesh Meesh, was nominated for Best Chef in the Southeast this year, but unfortunately lost out to Nashville’s Jake Howell. You’ll get ‘em next time, Noam.
Bilitzer isn’t the only Louisville chef to have been nominated for a James Beard award. In fact, a Louisville chef has been nominated for Best Chef in the Southeast every couple of years for the past few decades.
Dallas McGarity of the Fat Lamb was nominated last year, Annie Pettry of the now closed Decca was nominated in 2020, and Edward Lee of Nami and 610 Magnolia was nominated in 2017.
Lawrence Weeks of Enso, North of Bourbon, and more was nominated for Emerging Chef in 2024. Bonus: Take a peek at what he keeps in his fridge.
The only Louisville James Beard winners are Julian P. Van Winkle III for Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional in 2011.
“Hamlet” | 6 p.m. | C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater in Central Park | Free | Come early for the food trucks, pre-show performances, and some slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
Friday, June 20
Ali Night at Racing Louisville | 8 p.m. | Lynn Family Stadium | $18.78 | Celebrate the life and legacy of the G.O.A.T. as you cheer on Louisville at this fast-paced pro women’s soccer match
Saturday, June 21
Kentuckiana Pride Festival | 12-10 p.m. | Big Four Lawn | $12+ | Celebrate the region’s LGBTQ+ community in a safe, affirming space with vendors, drag shows, concerts + more.
Elizabethtown is facing severe flooding from recent rainfall, leading to damage and hazardous conditions. Stay up to date on road closures, and never try to drive through flooded roads.
History
Over a dozen Louisville locations are featured on the new Kentucky African American Heritage Trail. Unveiled this week, the trail features 50+ locations around the bluegrass state honoring Black history around the Bluegrass State.
Concert
In case you missed it, the concert lineup for the Kentucky State Fair is out. Catch tunes by Blue Öyster Cult, The Turtles, Sawyer Brown, and C+C Music Factory, among others between Thursday, Aug. 14 and Sunday, Aug. 24.
Try This
Plant your own carnivorous plant at Mahonia this Saturday, June 21. Register now for the 10:30 a.m. workshop, where you’ll craft a mini bog ecosystem, complete with flesh-eating plants.
Watch
Let’s learn how the sausage dainty is made. The annual Schnitzelburg sporting event uses a small wooden rod, handcrafted from a section of broom handle. See the wood chips fly as a new batch is manufactured.
Sports
A section of Floyd Street on UofL’s campus is reportedly set to be renamed after former athletic leader Tom Jurich. Jurich was with UofL for 20 years, promoting women’s sports + pushing for the Cardinals women’s basketball team to play at the Yum! Center. (WDRB)
Try This
Downtown Louisville has a mystery to solve — and you’re on the case. “CLUE: A Walking Mystery” is a two-hour adventure full of puzzles, plot twists, and maybe a candlestick or two, happening now through Sunday, July 6. Learn more + snag tickets to this immersive experience inspired by the iconic board game.*
Beauty
Ready for your summer glow-up? Golden Aesthetic Atelier knows exactly how to help. Whether you’re in need of a facial or want to try a new treatment, their experts can help. Book a treatment.*
Plan Ahead
Does your business have an upcoming event? Promote it in LOUtoday. Head to our self-service ad portal to find an option that works for your budget — from eye-catching banner ads to engaging social posts.
Home
Still climbing ladders to clean your gutters? HomeBuddy installs premium gutter guards in just a few hours — and it’s 100% no-clog guaranteed. See your local offer.*
The Buy
A reversible couch cover that’s waterproof, machine washable, and pet hair resistant. Bonus: It seamlessly converts into an outdoor blanket.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Earlier this year, we brought you news about the Mashup food hall, coming to NuLu this summer.
Coldsmoke Bagels announced this week it would be making the move from Logan Street Market to the new coworking space, slinging lox + schmears from East Jefferson Street.
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