There’s always a lot going on in the Columbus restaurant world! Here’s the latest:

• The 2025 James Beard Semifinalists were announced this week and Columbus won three nominations among the group: Dan the Baker for Outstanding Bakery, Law Bird for Outstanding Bar and Avishar Barua for Best Chef: Great Lakes! Winners will be announced at the annual reception in June. You can see the full list of nominees here.
• Wizard of Za Pizzeria announced last week that it has closed operations since last Monday, January. 20. The pizza maker emerged during the pandemic when creator Spencer Saylor built up an Instagram following with a long waiting list for his Sicilian-style pies. The store moved to Fusian’s Clintonville location in 2021 and was eventually sold to Fusian’s owners. Wizard of Za teases that the store may continue as a pizza business as they support the next generation of “pizza entrepreneurs.”
• Rose Dough Donuts revealed additional details about their new shop this week, sharing that it’s located in Clintonville (though an exact address wasn’t shared) and that they hope to open by June. Rose Dough currently operates out of 1400 Food Lab.
• The owners of Tulip Cafe shared on social media that they are expanding into the space next door to the current storefront at 2926 Hayden Run Plaza.
• ZenCha Tea Salon in the Short North shared on social media that it is under new ownership as of this week. They are making updates to the space and menu and will be renaming the business ZenCha Tea House. The teahouse is currently open Monday through Saturday from 8am to 1pm, with more hours likely to be added in the future.
• Hal Block, Coney Island native and founder of Block’s Bagels on the east side, died last week at age 91. The Block family first opened their bagel shop in 1957. and were one of the first to bring authentic New York style bagels to central Ohio. (You can read about one of their former longtime stores here.)

Some cool culinary events:

• Columbus Underground’s Sweet Treats Dessert Festival is this Sunday, January. 26 in the center of The Kee!
• Starting next week, Wednesday, Jan. 29, Weiland’s Market is launching a new series of healthy eating seminars in conjunction with Grow Well Coaching. Each class is $35 and will feature a different theme and include tastings, market tours, curated shopping lists, coupons and more.
• 614 MagazineRestaurant Week runs through Saturday, January. 25.
• There are still a few spots available for a five-course dinner hosted by Chef Justin Watring at COLO Market & Oyster Bar in North Market Downtown tonight – Friday, January. 24
• And there are still spots available for Isla’s preview dinner at The Lox Bagel Shop next week, Wednesday, January. 29.
• Columbus Food Adventures has announced its next Taste Of event, which will focus on Middle Eastern breakfast and brunch at Olive & Lime in February. 8!

This week I also write:

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