2 Houston chefs nominated for James Beard Award

Hugo Ortega, Chris Shepherd nominated for 'Best Chef of the Southwest'

HOUSTON – Two Houston chefs are in New York, for the James Beard Award ceremony.

Hugo Ortega of Hugo's was again nominated for Best Chef of the Southwest.

His Montrose-area restaurant features authentic Mexican cuisine.

"Grasshoppers. Something that's very unique that you can find just here," said Hugo's manager Antonio Fuentes. "Just sautéed with fresh corn tortillas on the side, some guacamole."

Chris Shepherd, the chef at Underbelly, serves weekly menus but always serves his signature braised goat dumplings.

"It doesn't get much better than that. It's great for the restaurant and the city," said line cook Patrick Feges.

In the end, Chef Jennifer Jasinski of Rioja in Denver took the award in the Southwest category

Click here to watch the James Beard Awards ceremony.