2022 Innovation Award 

Finn Walter is the owner and chef of The Nicolett, a fine-dining destination in the heart of Lubbock's downtown revitalization. A native of Lubbock, Walter earned a BA in History from Bates College in Maine before beginning his culinary career. From 2002-2016, he worked in top culinary cities around the world, cooking everywhere from tiny bistros to three-star Michelin restaurants. In 2017, Walter returned to Lubbock to pursue his MBA at Texas Tech with the goal of opening a modern West Texas restaurant. Walter successfully opened The Nicolett in fall 2020, during the height of the pandemic and historically the most challenging time for the restaurant industry, and introduced a new form of dining to the region. The Nicolett honors the heritage of the High Plains, while looking toward its future with an innovative approach to food, beverage, and hospitality. The restaurant attracts diners from across the region and the U.S. and has earned regional and national acclaim. In 2022, Walter was honored as a nominee for Best Chef: Texas by the prestigious James Beard Awards.