Alabama’s Automatic Seafood and Oysters Forever a James Beard Award Finalist

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By Susan Swagler

In a year of unimaginable challenges for the restaurant industry, there were a few reasons for owners and fans of Alabama restaurants to be hopeful. As is usually the case every year, the James Beard Foundation recognized several state establishments for their excellence as semifinalists for the prestigious James Beard Award.

Birmingham’s Automatic Seafood and Oysters, owned by the husband and wife team of Adam Evans and Suzanne Humphries Evans, was the only one of a half-dozen semifinalists in Alabama to advance to the finalist stage. The restaurant was among 10 finalists for the nation’s Best New Restaurant.

The announcement of this year’s winners was set for Sept. 25, giving struggling establishments and worried chefs and owners all over the country something exciting to anticipate. But on Aug. 20 – for the first time in the award’s 30-year history – the James Beard Foundation announced that no more winners would be presented this year.

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