Chef Noam Bilitzer Earns Back-to-Back James Beard Nominations

Chef Noam Bilitzer, owner and chef of MeeshMeesh Mediterranean in Louisville, Kentucky, has been named a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation's Best Chef: Southeast award for the second consecutive year.

The James Beard Awards are considered among the highest honors for chefs and restaurants in the country. He is the only chef in the Best Chef: Southeast category to earn a semifinalist nomination in both 2025 and 2026, a distinction that places MeeshMeesh among the most consistently recognized restaurants in the region.

That recognition has been building since day one. In December 2024, Yelp ranked MeeshMeesh No. 2 on its list of Best New Restaurants in the South and No. 3 nationally. In 2025, Bilitzer advanced to James Beard Finalist for Best Chef: Southeast and one of only five chefs in the region to reach that stage.

Beyond MeeshMeesh, Bilitzer has been busy. He recently opened Mill Iron 4 with his longtime friend, collaborator and butcher Dustin Olsen, and in partnership with Daniel and Stacy Holyfield of North of Bourbon in Louisville’s Germantown neighborhood. The restaurant is rooted in a respect for the animal and the land by sourcing local beef raised ethically, spotlighting rare cuts and Dustin's barbecue roots alongside inclusive dishes that chef Noam has become known for. The menu is paired with a high-end wine program in collaboration with John Grisanti of Nouvelle Bar & Bottle in Nulu and a fantastic cocktail program by beverage director Lauren Skelton and rare vintage & premium allocated bourbon.

Bilitzer opened MeeshMeesh at 636 East Market Street in Louisville's NuLu neighborhood in September 2023. For reservations, visit MeeshMeesh on Opentable.