Lupi and Iris finalist for best new restaurant, and 3 other Wisconsin finalists in James Beard Awards

Milwaukee's Lupi and Iris, 777 N. Van Buren St., has been named one of 10 finalists from across the country as best new U.S. restaurant by the James Beard Awards.

Lupi and Iris, created by Michael DeMichele and chef Adam Siegel, serves dishes from the French and Italian Riviera. It opened in May 2022.

It has been 15 years since Siegel won the Beard Award for best chef in the Midwest in 2008, for his work at Lake Park Bistro.

Wisconsin this year had a strong showing in the best chef Midwest category, which encompasses Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, in addition to Wisconsin.

More:The luxe Lupi and Iris delivers on its chef's promise

Of the five finalists, the three from Wisconsin are Milwaukee chef Gregory León of Amilinda, 315 E. Wisconsin Ave., and Madison chefs Francesco Mangano of Osteria Papavero and Itaru Nagano and Andrew Kroeger of Fairchild.

More:11 top Milwaukee chefs share their favorite kitchen hacks

Leon was a best chef finalist in 2022 for his work at Amilinda.

Other Wisconsin chefs and restaurateurs who were semifinalists and did not move on include:

• Andrew Hutchison of Madison Sourdough in Madison, who was a contender for the newly combined national category of outstanding pastry chef or baker.

• Jamie Hoang of Ahan in Madison, a contender for the national award of emerging chef.

• Amy and Jason Kerstein, Joe Muench and Dan Sidner of Black Shoe Hospitality, the group that operates Story Hill BKC, Buttermint Finer Dining & Cocktails and Maxie's, were in the running for outstanding restaurateur, a national award.

• Wickman House in Door County's Ellison Bay was a semifinalist for outstanding restaurant, another national honor.

Carol Deptolla contributed to this report.

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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Lupi and Iris James Beard Awards finalist for best new restaurant 2023