SHREVEPORT, Louisiana – Hardette Harris, the esteemed owner and chef of Us Up North in Shreveport, has achieved a significant milestone in the culinary world. On Wednesday, January 24, Harris was officially named as a semifinalist for a 2024 James Beard Foundation award, distinguishing her among the top talents in the culinary industry.
Located at 300 N Allen Ave, Us Up North is renowned for its authentic north Louisiana-style cuisine, featuring classics like fried chicken, fried catfish, purple hull peas, greens, and cornbread. Harris’s dedication to celebrating and elevating local cuisine has now earned her national recognition.
This nomination positions Harris as only the second restaurateur from the Shreveport-Bossier area to receive this honor, following the late Kuan Lim of Lucky Palace Chinese Restaurant in Bossier City. The announcement has been met with a wave of local pride and admiration. “I’m still in shock,” expressed Harris. “Celebrating north Louisiana cuisine is what I do and to be recognized for it means the world to me. To make it on this list is a big deal, and I’m proud of myself.”
Harris stands among 20 chefs from across the south named as semifinalists in the Best Chef category. This diverse group showcases the rich culinary landscape of the region, highlighting chefs from cities like New Orleans, Miami, and beyond. The list of fellow semifinalists includes notable names like Melissa Araujo of Alma Cafe, Kelsey Barnard Clark of KBC, and Jennifer Berdin and Mark Berdin of Kadence, among others.
The next stage in this prestigious journey will see the finalists announced on April 3. The winners will then be celebrated at a gala in Chicago, scheduled for June 10. This event promises to be a showcase of the finest culinary talents from across the nation.
Harris’s nomination is not just a personal achievement but also a beacon of pride for Shreveport and the wider region. It underscores the area’s rich culinary heritage and its evolving food scene. As the anticipation builds for the final announcements, the community eagerly supports one of its own in achieving national culinary acclaim.
