Friday Food Bites: Wizard of Za closes; three James Beard nominations for Columbus

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

• The 2025 James Beard semifinalists were announced this week, and Columbus earned three nods amongst the bunch: Dan the Baker for Outstanding Bakery, Law Bird for Outstanding Bar, and Avishar Barua for Best Chef: Great Lakes! The winners will be announced at the annual awards reception in June. You can view the full nominee list here.
• The Wizard of Za pizza shop announced last week that it has ended its run as of this past Monday, Jan. 20. The pizza-maker popped up during the pandemic when creator Spencer Saylor built up an Instagram following with a long wait list for his Sicilian-style pies. The shop moved into Fusian’s Clintonville location in 2021 and was eventually sold to the owners of Fusian. Wizard of Za teased that the shop may continue as a pizza business, as they support the next generation of “pizzapreneuers.”
• Rose Dough Donuts teased additional details about its new storefront this week, sharing that it’s located in Clintonville (although no exact address was shared) and that they hope to open by June. Rose Dough is currently operating out of 1400 Food Lab.
• The owners of Tulip Cafe shared on social media that they are expanding into the space next door to their current storefront at 2926 Hayden Run Plaza.
• ZenCha Tea Salon in the Short North shared on social media that it’s under new ownership as of this week. They’re making updates to the space and menu, and will rename the business to ZenCha Tea House. Hours for the tea house are currently set at Monday-Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., with more hours potentially being added in the future.
• Hal Block, a Coney Island native and the founder of Block’s Bagels on the east side, passed away last week at the age of 91. The Block family first opened their bagel shop in 1957, and were some of the first to bring authentic New York-style bagels to central Ohio. (You can read about one of their former long-time stores here.)

Some cool culinary events:

• Columbus Underground’s Sweet Treats Dessert Festival is this Sunday, Jan. 26 at The Kee downtown!
• Starting next week Wednesday, Jan. 29, Weiland’s Market is launching new series of Healthy Eats workshops in conjunction with Grow Well Coaching. Each class is $35 and will feature a different topic, and will include tastings, tours of the market, curated shopping lists, coupons, and more.
• 614 Magazine‘s Restaurant Week runs through Saturday, Jan. 25.
• There are still a few seats left for a five-course dinner led by chef Justin Wotring at COLO Market & Oyster Bar at North Market Downtown tonight – Friday, Jan. 24
• And there are still seats for an Isla preview dinner at The Lox Bagel Shop next week Wednesday, Jan. 29.
• Columbus Food Adventures announced its next Taste Of event, which will focus on Middle Eastern breakfast and brunch at Olive & Lime, on Feb. 8!

This week I’m also writing:

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