Chef Paul Smith, based in Charleston, West Virginia, has been honored with the Distinguished West Virginian Award, adding to his recent achievements. Governor Jim Justice presented Smith with this accolade on Tuesday, following his earlier success in Chicago a few weeks ago.
Governor Justice expressed his admiration, stating, “He just earned the Best Chef: Southeast award from the James Beard Foundation, which is truly outstanding.” On June 10, Chef Paul became the first chef from West Virginia to receive this prestigious culinary honor. The James Beard Awards are widely recognized as the premier accolades in the culinary world, often likened to the “academy awards for chefs.”
The Best Chef: Southeast award, a part of the James Beard Awards Foundation, features chefs from Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and now West Virginia.
Justice said in a statement that presenting the Distinguished West Virginian Award is the highest honor he can give to a fellow resident of the Mountain State and that Smith is very deserving of it.
“Chef Paul has reached the top of the culinary world as our state’s first James Beard Award-winning chef, and his passion for showcasing our unique flavors has really put West Virginia on the culinary map,” a statement from Justice read. “Recognitions like this show everyone that we are a true culinary destination, and we couldn’t be prouder to call him one of our own. We can’t wait to see what he achieves next and how he will continue to inspire others with his dedication and passion for West Virginia’s culinary scene.”
Smith owns multiple restaurants in the Kanawha Valley, including 1010 Bridge, the qualifying restaurant of the James Beard competition.
He is also a founding member of the West Virginia Chef Ambassadors Program through the West Virginia Department of Tourism, which highlights the tastes and talents across the Mountain State.
