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Local chef gets national braise

Lexington’s very own Sam Fore is a James Beard Award finalist.

March 29, 2023 • 
Aayat Ali
Sam Fore leaning against a door.

Sam is one of five finalists for the Best Chef: Southeast. | Photo by Dennis Cahlo

Just one day after unveiling the location for her new restaurant, Sam Fore has been announced as a James Beard Award finalist.

Sam, owner of pop-up Tuk Tuk Sri Lankan Bites, is among five finalists for Best Chef: Southeast — and the only chef representing Kentucky on the list.

When we last spoke with Sam in February, she had just revealed her plans for Tuk Tuk Snack Shop, her first brick-and-mortar restaurant in town. In just the last few days, the globe-trotting chef unveiled a new logo and announced that she will take over the former Brewed location at 124 Malabu Dr. Suite 110, just off Nicholasville Road.

She hopes for the restaurant to be opened by late this summer or early fall.

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