Here Are the 2025 James Beard Awards Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists – Eater
Filed under:Here’s who made the list this yearToday, the James Beard Foundation announced this year’s semifinalists, revealing the chefs and restaurants potentially up for consideration for the 2025 James Beard Awards, considered one of the biggest honors and acknowledgments in the restaurant industry.This year’s awards include three brand-new categories: Best New Bar (given to a new “wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar, or any other business whose primary offering is beverage” that “already demonstrates excellence”), Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. They join the existing Outstanding Bar and Outstanding Wine and Other Beverage Program categories as awards that specifically celebrate the drinking aspect of hospitality; nominees in the latter two new categories must be at least seven-year industry veterans.This year also marks the five-year anniversary of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought several changes to the awards. Amid unprecedented chaos that shuttered thousands of restaurants across the country and killed more than 1 million U.S. residents, the organization canceled its ceremonies in 2020 and 2021. Following criticisms of racial inequity and lack of diversity, the organization announced an audit of procedures, and has, in recent years, created newer categories — such an Emerging Chef with no age cutoff, and separate awards for states such as Texas, California, and New York — to recognize age and regional diversity, thereby reaching a broader group of winners. This semifinalist list reflects the restaurant and chef categories; finalists in these categories will be announced on April 2. Winners will be awarded at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Here are the 2025 semifinalists:A restaurateur who uses their establishment(s) as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship, and integrity in restaurant operationsA chef who sets high culinary standards and has served as a positive example for other food professionals. A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.A chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.A restaurant opened between October 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.A baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.A pastry chef or baker who makes desserts, pastries, or breads. Candidate demonstrates exceptional skills and can be affiliated with any food business and does not need a brick-and mortar presence.A restaurant, bar, or other food and drinking establishment that fosters a sense of hospitality among its customers and staff that serves as a beacon for the community and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.A restaurant that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the pairing of wine and other beverages with food. This includes the selection, preparation, and serving of wine, cocktails, spirits, coffee, tea, beer, or any other beverage with outstanding hospitality and service that helps inform and enhance a customer’s appreciation of the beverage(s). Ethical sourcing will also be considered. A wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar, or any other business whose primary offering is beverage and that demonstrates consistent excellence in curating a selection or in the preparation of drinks, along with outstanding atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.A wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar, or any other business whose primary offering is beverage, opened between October 1, 2023 through September 30, 2024, that already demonstrates excellence in beverages, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in the preparation of drinks, sourcing, service, hospitality, atmosphere, and operations. A service professional who curates and serves wine, beer, or other offerings such as sake, lowand non-alcoholic beverages in a restaurant or bar setting; or winery, distillery or brewery that also serves food. Candidate has set high standards; demonstrates creativity and consistency in excellence, innovation, hospitality; is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture; and has served as an exceptional example or mentor for other beverage professionals. A service professional who creates and serves cocktails or other offerings such as low- and nonalcoholic beverages. Candidate has set high standards; demonstrates creativity and consistency in excellence, innovation, hospitality; is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture; and has served as an exceptional example or mentor for other beverage professionals. Chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions.Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards.The freshest news from the food world every dayCheck your inbox for a welcome email.Oops. 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Source: https://www.eater.com/24349129/james-beard-awards-2025-semifinalists-chefs-restaurants-jbfa
