James Beard Award Finalists List: Check Out Who Will Be In The Grand Finale

The James Beard Awards are one of the most important honours in the food and hospitality industry. Every year, the James Beard Foundation recognises the best chefs, restaurants, and hospitality professionals in America. The 2025 edition is even more special as it marks the 35th anniversary of the awards. Winning or even being nominated for a James Beard Award is a big achievement. It can change the career of a chef or restaurant by bringing them national recognition. This year, there are 25 categories, and new awards have been introduced for bars and beverage professionals. Here we have all the details on the date, time, venue, and complete list of finalists for the James Beard Awards 2025.

James Beard Award 2025 Date, Time, And Venue

The grand finale of the James Beard Awards 2025 will take place on Monday, June 16, 2025. The event will be held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. This is where the winners will be announced in front of an audience of top chefs, food critics, and industry leaders. 

 

 

 

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After the awards ceremony, a special tasting event will be held at Union Station. This will feature dishes made by chefs who have been recognised by the James Beard Foundation over the years.

James Beard Award 2025: Finalist List 

Here are some of the key finalists for the James Beard Awards 2025:

Outstanding Chef

• Lisa Becklund (FarmBar, Tulsa, OK)
• Gabriel Kreuther (Gabriel Kreuther, New York, NY)
• Josh Niernberg (Bin 707, Grand Junction, CO)
• Cassie Piuma (Sarma, Somerville, MA)
• Jungsik Yim (Jungsik, New York, NY)

Outstanding Restaurant

• Coquine (Portland, OR)
• Frasca Food and Wine (Boulder, CO)
• Galit (Chicago, IL)
• Nonesuch (Oklahoma City, OK)
• Oberlin (Providence, RI)
• Best New Restaurant
• Alma Fonda Fina (Denver, CO)
• Atoma (Seattle, WA)
• Bûcheron (Minneapolis, MN)
• Ema (Houston, TX)
• Fet-Fisk (Pittsburgh, PA)

Emerging Chef

• Kaitlin Guerin (Lagniappe Bakehouse, New Orleans, LA)
• Phila Lorn (Mawn, Philadelphia, PA)
• Nikhil Naiker (NIMKI, Providence, RI)
• Jane Sacro Chatham (Vicia, St. Louis, MO)
• RJ Yoakum (Georgie, Dallas, TX)

Outstanding Bakery

• Atelier Ortega (Jackson Hole, WY)
• Gusto Bread (Long Beach, CA)
• JinJu Patisserie (Portland, OR)
• Starship Bagel (Dallas and Lewisville, TX)
• Super Secret Ice Cream (Bethlehem, NH)

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Outstanding Pastry Chef Or Baker

• Susan Bae (Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.)
• Cat Cox (Country Bird Bakery, Tulsa, OK)
• April Franqueza (The Dining Room at High Hampton, Cashiers, NC)
• Crystal Kass (Valentine, Phoenix, AZ)
• Carolyn Nugent and Alen Ramos (Poulette Bakeshop, Parker, CO)

Best New Bar (New Category)

• Agency (Milwaukee, WI)
• Bar Colette (Dallas, TX)
• Identidad Cocktail Bar (San Juan, PR)
• Merai (Brookline, MA)
• ViceVersa (Miami, FL)

Outstanding Professional In Beverage Service (New Category)

• Jacob Brown (Lazy Bear, San Francisco, CA)
• Jose Medina Camacho (Adiós, Birmingham, AL)
• Arjav Ezekiel (Birdie's, Austin, TX)
• Cassandra Felix (Daniel, New York, NY)
• Cristie Norman (Delilah, Las Vegas, NV)

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Outstanding Professional In Cocktail Service (New Category)

• McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright (Yacht Club, Denver, CO)
• Ignacio Jimenez (Superbueno, New York, NY)
• Dave Newman (Pint + Jigger, Honolulu, HI)
• Tobin Shea (Redbird, Los Angeles, CA)
• Mike Stankovich (Longfellow, Cincinnati, OH)

The awards also recognise the best chefs from different regions in the US, including California, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Mountain, New York State, Northeast, Northwest & Pacific, South, Southeast, Southwest, and Texas.

Keep an eye out for the grand finale, as it promises to be an exciting celebration of culinary talent.

Image Credits: Instagram/@beardfoundation

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