During the seven years they’ve operated their Thai eatery, they’ve garnered plenty of accolades. In 2018, Talat Market made Bon Appetit’s Top 50 Nominees for America’s Best New Restaurants list. More recently, Talat Market earned a place in Atlanta’s inaugural Michelin Guide as a recommended restaurant.
Savang and Lassiter told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the recognition is surreal.
“It’s a full circle moment,” Savang said of the nomination. He first attended the James Beard Awards as a volunteer in 2011, and wasn’t allowed to watch the event.
“I saw my career being unfolded right in front of me,” he said. “I saw chefs there like Hugh Acheson and Andy Ricker, and those are people I’ve met and have worked with.”
Lassiter and his wife celebrated their eighth wedding anniversary the same day of the finalist announcements, “so I’m riding really high right now,” Lassiter said.
Lassiter said he reached out to Terry Koval for tips on how to navigate being a finalist. The pair worked together for years at Wrecking Bar Brewpub and Koval won the Best Chef: Southeast category in 2023.
“This is all still very unexpected from my perspective,” Lassiter said. “When we started (Talat Market) … we were just trying to build our following and have fun. It’s mind-blowing, and still in my heart of hearts, I don’t expect these sorts of things to happen. I feel very grateful and humbled.”
The 2024 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony will take place on June 10 in Chicago where all winners will be announced.
Established in 1990, the James Beard Awards are among the nation’s most prestigious honors recognizing leaders in the culinary and food media industries.
Metro Atlanta chefs and restaurants have taken home several James Beard Award wins in the past….
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