SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- They're the best of the best and some are here in the Bay Area. This year's James Beard Award winners have been announced, honoring chefs, restaurants and designers.
The Best Chef in the West went to Corey Lee at San Francisco's Benu. He's been recognized before with a James Beard Award when he was head chef of the French Laundry.
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San Francisco-based design firm AvroKO won Best Restaurant Design for their work on SingleThread in Healdsburg.
And the Mission's La Taqueria is named one of America's Classics. The award recognizes restaurants that are local owned, have been in business for more than a decade and are cherished for their food and sense of community.
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Miguel Jara has owned La Taqueria since 1973. A few months ago he made the decision to close the restaurant on Mondays because he said his busy staff needed a chance to rest.
Click here to see the full list of 2017 James Beard Award winners.
La Taqueria customers wait in line for their food at the restaurant in San Francisco's Mission District on Tuesday, May 2, 2017. (KGO-TV)