FORT WORTH, Texas — Editor's note: The video at the top of this article initially aired in October 2021.
Three chefs at the helm of the widely acclaimed Goldee's Barbecue were named among the country's best new chefs by Food & Wine Magazine.
Jonny White, Jalen Heard and Lane Miln are in the 2024 class of best new chefs, the magazine announced Tuesday. The trio grew up in Arlington and returned to North Texas to open Goldee's in 2020 after spending years working in BBQ pits across Austin.
Since then, the tiny restaurant has been named the state's best by Texas Monthly and the New York Times.
With this accolade from Food & Wine, Goldee's profile is once again raised. In its write-up on the three chefs, Food & Wine praised the chef's commitment to quality control, employee wellness and their willingness to use the pit room as a forum to train the next generation of pitmasters.
"Although Goldee’s has only been around for a few short years, its impact is already being felt across Texas, and even the world," the piece reads. "Goldee’s almost functions as a smoked-meat talent incubator that’s training the next generation."
The article also mentions the restaurant's ubiquitous long lines, where visitors brave the Texas heat to get a taste of Goldee's finely honed Barbecue tray.
Food & Wine determined its class of best new chefs by soliciting and vetting nominations from past best new chefs, food writers, cookbook authors, and others. Then, Food & Wine scouts visit the restaurants, conduct background checks and require each chef to share an anonymous multilingual survey with their staff to gauge employee satisfaction.
For decades, those included in Food & Wine's list of best new chefs have gone on to be some of America's most influential, including Nancy Silverton and Thomas Keller.
The three chefs will participate in a mentorship program to help them grow personally and professionally as leaders, according to Food & Wine. But Goldee's is already expanding, opening up Ribee's in a closed Fort Worth Sonic Drive-Thru.