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Two Charlotte Soul Food Restaurant Owners Up For Best Chef

Author JD Diva

The chef and owners of a popular soul food restaurant in uptown Charlotte are in the running for the coveted James Beard Award. Daryl Cooper and Oscar Johnson run Jimmy Pearls restaurant.

The two got the news recently that they are semifinalists for a James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast. Several other restaurants in the Carolinas are listed as semifinalists as well. But that isn’t causing Cooper and Johnson to lose any steam. They have reason to be excited about the honor.  According to its website, a James Beard Award honors those who create exceptional food, food media content, and better food systems while demonstrating a commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.

Cooper and Johnson are both natives of Virginia. They say they get their inspiration to cook from family members and ancestors. They founded Jimmy Pearls in 2020, starting it out as a pop-up restaurant. It quickly became a popular “go-to” spot for as they describe ‘African-Southern eats inspired by Chesapeake Foodways.’

Menu items range from creamed corn fritters, to the classic crab cake, to cajun fried shrimp. The two chefs say they take a page from the traditions of African American culinary history and their own family traditions that are rooted in Virginia and other regions of the U.S. and the world. They pull it all together with the culinary cuisine of the Tidewater and Piedmont Foodways of Virginia.

They say Jimmy Pearls is “an ode to Virginia soul.” The restaurant is location at The Market at 7th Street, uptown Charlotte. Final nominees for The James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southeast will be announced on April 3. Winners will be announced on June 10.

Janine “JD” Davis: JD The Diva is the spicy, bold, and highly energetic radio and TV personality you hear hosting the midday shift (10 am till 3 pm) each weekday at V 101.9. An award-winning 30-year radio and news journalist, Janine brings her unique style of delivering entertainment, news, and inspiration to the airwaves. From her quick-witted ‘dirt’ on celebrities to the live Facebook mix show featuring JD and her best dance moves to JD’s Inspirational Moments where she shares personal battles and triumphs, JD keeps listeners engaged and entertained. When she’s not on air, you can find JD getting involved in the community and embracing Black-owned businesses and stories online. She enjoys writing about small Black-owned businesses, our HBCUs as a grad herself, and all things supporting women.

4 North Carolina Restaurants Included On Yelp's Best Places To Eat List

The idea of the “best restaurants” is certainly subjective. What one person may think is incredible may not be someone else’s cup of tea. But there are also some restaurants that are just a step above the others. So when I saw that Yelp released their Top 100 Places to Eat list for 2024 I had to see if I was familiar with any spots on the list. And 4 North Carolina Restaurants were mentioned as the best places to eat.

But perhaps what surprised me even more was the lack of any South Carolina restaurants included. I would have expected at least somewhere in Charleston to be included and I’m sure there are some other hidden gems throughout the state. Yelp says the list was created by analyzing “submissions, ratings, review volume, and community input.” So South Carolina perhaps you need to use Yelp more?

But back to North Carolina the winner in this contest. It wasn’t the Charlotte area that was highlighted on this list. Or anywhere in the Triangle. Instead it was one mountain bbq spot and not one, not two, but three Triad area restaurants. Who knew that region was such a destination for foodies? Last time I was in Greensboro I just ate at Chili’s but clearly there were some fantastic options I missed out on!

Keep reading to see the 4 North Carolina restaurants that are the best places to eat in the state. At least according to Yelp! You can read the full list here. Have a restaurant you think deserves to be highlighted? Let us know on social media!

  • 11. Haywood Smokehouse (Dillwood)

    “Old School BBQ” is what you’ll find at Haywood Smokehouse. There are 3 locations the one in Dillwood that is technically the one on this list, as well as Waynesville and Franklin. But be aware this is Texas Style BBQ, not eastern or western NC. View the menu here.

  • 43. Odeh's Mediterranean Kitchen (High Point)

    Located in High Point is Odeh’s Mediterranean Kitchen. It serves Middle Eastern Salad, Falafel on Pita, Chicken Shawarma, and more! View the menu here.

  • 49. Freeman's Grub & Hub (Greensboro)

    Freeman’s offers some delicious-looking craft cocktails as well as comfort foods from what I can tell on social media. And what I’ve seen is enough to make me add this to the list for the next time I make the drive to Greensboro (typically to something at the Coliseum). I wasn’t able to locate a website but you can view their Facebook page here.

  • 54. The Table (Asheboro)

    Located in Historic Downtown Asheboro, the Table offers breakfast and lunch as well as bakery items and coffee. View the menu here.

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