New York State Restaurants Worry About James Beard Awards Change | Eater NY

"Chef Victor Parra Gonzalez of the Mexican restaurant Las Puertas in Buffalo says that being grouped with New York City this year will be one of the greatest challenges they face; he was nominated in the former Best Chef: Northeast category in 2018 and 2019. He argues that NYC's much larger, more diverse dining audience lets metropolitan chefs take greater creative license, while it's tougher in Buffalo, where the smaller talent pool and the dynamic of ever-changing diners limit that liberty. Despite the concern, he remains hopeful for this year’s nominations and is "hoping to read my name and my peers' names that are keeping their vision true to the course." - Stefanie Tuder