Detroit-based East African restaurant finalist for top US restaurateur award

The owners of an East African eatery in Detroit are among the dozens of finalists for this year’s prestigious James Beard Chef and Chefs Awards.

The nominees cover a diverse range of cuisine and chef experience, a recent shift following turbulent pandemic-era years for the James Beard Foundation.

The most-anticipated categories include awards for outstanding restaurateur, chef, and restaurant.

For Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere — who own Baobab Fare in Detroit — a win among the five finalists in the restaurateur category would be incredible.

The couple fled…