Rodina chef, owner named James Beard semifinalist

Feb. 1, 2023 6:00 am

Chef Samuel Charles poses for a portrait on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021, at Rodina in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. (Geoff Stellfox/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids chef has been named as a semifinalist for the 2023 James Beard Award.

Rodina executive chef and owner Samuel Charles was the only Iowa chef named to the short list for this year’s Best Chef award in the Midwest category, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Charles co-owns the upscale Midwest comfort food restaurant with wife and general manager Phoebe Charles. He is among 11 semifinalists in the award category, considered one of the highest honors in the culinary industry.

Samuel Charles was named 2021 Chef of the Year by the Iowa Restaurant Association in part for his elevation of Midwestern comfort food, which recognizes the value of quality simplicity.

“Chef Samuel Charles is helping elevate the culinary game in the Midwest and by bringing recognition to the amazing cuisine across our state,” said Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Restaurant Association, in 2021.

Semifinalists were announced Jan. 25. James Beard Award Winners will be announced March 29.

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