Hot and Hot Fish Club Chef and James Beard Winner Chris Hastings.

Breaking a streak of nominations but no wins, and a drought for Birmingham, Hot & Hot Fish Club Chef Chris Hastings won a James Beard Award for Best Chef in the South.

Accepting the award, Hastings thanked all those in Birmingham and Alabama who have supported him and his restaurant.

“We live down south, we love what we do,” Hastings said.

Hastings had been a finalist four times in the previous five years.

Highlands Bar and Grill was a finalist  for Most Outstanding Restaurant, but Boulevard went home with that award.