Phoenix restaurateur, Tucson baker among 2022 James Beard Awards winners
Jun 15, 2022, 4:35 AM
(Bianco and Barrio Bread Photos)
(Bianco and Barrio Bread Photos)
PHOENIX — A Phoenix restaurateur and Tucson baker were among the winners of this year’s James Beard Awards, the nonprofit organization announced Monday.
Phoenix’s Chris Bianco of Tratto, Pane Bianco and Pizzeria Bianco was awarded Outstanding Restaurateur, while Don Guerra of Barrio Bread in Tucson was named Outstanding Baker.
It marks the second win for Bianco, who was named best chef in the southwest in 2003, and the first for Guerra.
Bianco, who started Pizzeria Bianco in a Phoenix grocery store in 1988, was the first pizzaiolo to receive the foundation’s award for best chef, according to his official website.
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He has become known outside of Arizona, appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live to make pizzas multiple times and announcing earlier this year an expansion to Los Angeles.
Guerra, who grew up in the Phoenix area, opened his first bakery in Flagstaff in 1995 after working in several bakeries, according to his official website.
He moved to Oregon to open a new bakery but later returned to Tucson and became a K-12 teacher for seven years before opening Barrio Bread in 2009.
Guerra in 2016 was also recognized for his talent by Dessert Professionals Magazine when he was named one of the top 10 bakers in America.
The full list of winners can be viewed on the James Beard Foundation website.
