Rob McDaniel Bayonet — Rob McDaniel, co-owner of Helen and Bayonet, was nominated for Outstanding Chef by the James Beard Foundation. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

This year, Birmingham’s restaurants garnered an impressive five James Beard Award nominations. Bham Now is sitting down with each nominee to learn more about their backgrounds, inspiration and goals.

Rob McDaniel, who owns Bayonet and Helen with his wife, Emily, is a semifinalist alongside just 19 other chefs in the U.S. for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef, one of the highest honors in the culinary world.

This national recognition comes as he continues to redefine the city’s food scene through his first Birmingham restaurant, Helen, and his recently-launched seafood restaurant for which he is being recognized by the James Beard Foundation, Bayonet.

For McDaniel, who decided to delve into the culinary field after working at a restaurant during his time at Auburn University, the nomination is a testament to a career built on the belief that hospitality is a vital — yet humbling — profession.

A ‘surprisingly different’ experience

Chef Rob McDaniel, owner and chef at Bayonet and Helen. Nominate — Chef Rob McDaniel’s restaurants Helen and Bayonet are side-by-side on 2nd Avenue N. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

While Helen is a wood-fired grill, protein-centric culinary experience, McDaniel’s newer work at Bayonet explores seafood in a way that is “a little bit different from what Birmingham has seen.” Many may assume the restaurant was named after the weapon or tool to mount bait in fishing, but it was actually named for the Spanish bayonet plant that is often found growing in sand dunes.

“The first thing that people think of is the sword and not this beautiful plant that is also kind of prickly and has a resiliency to it. We wanted Bayonet to be surprisingly different than Helen.”
Rob McDaniel, Bayonet owner + chef

a group of trees that are next to each other — The Spanish bayonet plant. Photo by Zoshua Colah on Unsplash

More than a transition job

Chef Rob McDaniel 2 scaled Bayonet's Rob McDaniel strives to uplift aspiring restauranteurs + chefs — Meet Bham’s James Beard nominees — Inside Chef Rob McDaniel’s newest restaurant, Bayonet. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

McDaniel’s nomination for Outstanding Chef isn’t just a reflection of his skill; it’s a nod to his leadership.

He is an advocate for the hospitality industry, pushing back against the idea that restaurant work is just a temporary gig for young people looking for a more “serious” opportunity.

“There’s nothing that drives me crazier than to hear someone say, ‘Yes, my son or daughter worked in a restaurant for a couple of years, and then thankfully, they went and got a real job.’ …if you work in a restaurant for two years, you will not leave that restaurant and ever say that it’s not a ‘real’ job.”
Rob McDaniel, Bayonet owner + chef

At this point in his career, he sees his role as chef to be a “sounding board” for his staff, allowing his cooks to lead dish development. Whether it’s a high-end swordfish Reuben or a playful take on a fast-food fish filet, McDaniel’s focus remains on the people behind the plates.

When his employees are excited and engaged with the experience, it shifts the dynamic of the restaurant, McDaniel said. He explained:

“When we have employees having conversations like that, I know that they are fully engaged in what we’re trying to do… our employees will say, ‘This is your restaurant,’ and I’ll respond, ‘This is our restaurant.'”

A moment of comfort + peace

Chef Rob McDaniel 1 scaled Bayonet's Rob McDaniel strives to uplift aspiring restauranteurs + chefs — Meet Bham’s James Beard nominees — Inside Chef Rob McDaniel’s newest restaurant, Bayonet. (Nathan Watson / Bham Now)

Despite the national accolades, McDaniel’s core mission remains grounded in the local experience. His goal, he said, is to offer Birmingham residents a sanctuary from the world:

“I feel that we are in a time that an hour-and-a-half or two-hour escape means more than it used to… being able to sit and enjoy a meal, be taken care of, be surrounded by hospitality and just have that moment of comfort and peace.”
Rob McDaniel, Bayonet owner + chef

As Birmingham celebrates this major milestone for one of its own, McDaniel is quick to give credit where its due to his staff and the community that made the nomination possible.