Loryn Nalic, the chef-owner at Balkan Treat Box and Telva at the Ridge in Webster Groves, has won a James Beard Award for best chef: Midwest, marking the first win by a St. Louis-area chef in the category in nearly a decade.
The culinary organization’s annual awards are considered among the most prestigious in the industry.
St. Louis-area restaurants and chefs have not received any James Beard Awards since 2017. That year, Kevin Nashan of Sidney Street Café won best chef: Midwest and Gioia’s Deli on the Hill won an America’s Classics award.
Nalic said taking home the award after St. Louis’ long drought feels “incredible and unreal.”
In her acceptance speech, Nalic thanked St. Louis and said “Volim te Bosno,” which translates to “I love you, Bosnia.”
“Thank you to the James Beard Foundation for allowing us to have a place to talk about Balkan food, about Bosnian food,” she said. “I, today, was thinking back to when I met [my partner] Edo and this family was separated by war and this restaurant brought them back together again.”
Nalic said her family was proud of the accomplishment. She recently returned from Bosnia where she spent her time “cooking and learning and connecting with the most amazing people.”
This was the fifth time Nalic was up for the award. She was named a semifinalist in 2024, 2023 and 2020 and was a nominee, the final round before winners are announced, in 2025. She gave a nod to her restaurant team when she was announced as a semifinalist this year.
“This recognition reflects the work of an exceptional team,” a post on Balkan Treat Box’s Instagram said. “I really have so much fun doing this work! I love what we do and the people we do it with. Thank you for continuing to support us. Grateful to be part of the St. Louis restaurant community. I am so damn proud of it!”
When asked what dishes she was most proud of, Nalic recommended that diners at Balkan Treat Box try the cevapi, finger-length kebabs made from ground, seasoned meat, and that visitors to Telva try the cilbir, a poached egg dish.
