As we speak, the James Beard Basis introduced this 12 months’s semifinalist nominees, revealing the cooks and eating places doubtlessly up for consideration for the 2025 James Beard Awards, thought of one of many largest honors and acknowledgments within the restaurant business.
This 12 months’s awards embody three brand-new classes: Finest New Bar (given to a brand new “wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, espresso bar, or another enterprise whose main providing is beverage” that “already demonstrates excellence”), Excellent Skilled in Beverage Service, and Excellent Skilled in Cocktail Service. They be part of the prevailing Excellent Bar and Excellent Wine and Different Beverage Program classes as awards that particularly have fun the consuming facet of hospitality; nominees in these two new classes have to be no less than seven-year business veterans.
This 12 months additionally marks the five-year anniversary of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, which introduced a number of modifications to the awards. Amid unprecedented chaos that shuttered hundreds of eating places throughout the nation and killed greater than 1 million U.S. residents, the group canceled its ceremonies in 2020 and 2021. Following criticisms of racial inequity and lack of range, the group introduced an audit of procedures, and has, lately, created newer classes — such an Rising Chef with no age cutoff, and separate awards for states akin to Texas, California, and New York — to acknowledge age and regional range, thereby reaching a broader group of winners.
This semifinalist listing displays the restaurant and chef classes; finalists in these classes will probably be introduced on April 2. Winners will probably be awarded on the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 16 on the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Listed here are the 2025 semifinalists:
Excellent Restaurateur
A restaurateur who makes use of their institution(s) as a automobile for constructing neighborhood, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship, and integrity in restaurant operations
- Itai Ben Eli and Itamar Levy, Sof Hospitality Group (Hamsa, Badolina Bakery, and Doris Metropolitan), Houston, TX
- Nikki Berglund and Ryan Nitschke, Luna Fargo, Sol Ave. Kitchen, Nova Eatery and others, Fargo, ND
- Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, The Anchovy Bar, State Fowl Provisions, and The Progress, San Francisco, CA
- Cara Chigazola-Tobin and Allison Gibson, Honey Highway and Grey Jay, Burlington, VT
- Sue Chin and Jason Chin, Good Salt Restaurant Group (Seito Sushi, Reyes Mezcaleria, The Osprey, and others), Orlando, FL
- Gerard Craft, Area of interest Meals Group (Brasserie, Pastaria, Not one of the Above, and others), St. Louis, MO
- Scott Crawford, Crawford Hospitality (Crawford and Son, Brodeto, Jolie, and others), Raleigh, NC
- Scott Drewno and Danny Lee, The Fried Rice Collective (Anju, Chiko, and I Egg You), Washington, D.C.
- Benjamin Goldberg, Max Goldberg, and Josh Habiger, Strategic Hospitality (Bastion, Locust, Kisser, and others), Nashville, TN
- Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr, Frenchette, Le Veau d’ Or, and Le Rock, New York, NY
- Mason Hereford, Turkey & the Wolf, Molly’s Rise & Shine, Hungry Eyes, and others, New Orleans, LA
- Brian Jupiter and Aaron Torricelli, Pioneer Tavern Group (Frontier and Ina Mae Tavern), Chicago, IL
- Douglas Katz, Edgewater Hospitality (Amba, Zhug, Kiln, and others), Cleveland, OH
- Simon Kim, Gracious Hospitality Administration (COTE, Undercote, and COQODAQ), New York, NY
- Lavanya Mahate, Saffron Valley Eating places, Salt Lake Metropolis, UT
- Elliot Nelson, McNellie’s Group (McNellie’s and others), Tulsa and Oklahoma Metropolis, OK
- Quynh Pham and Yenvy Pham, Phở Bắc Súp Store, Phởcific Customary Time, and The Boat, Seattle, WA
- Daisy Ryan and Greg Ryan, Companion Hospitality (Bell’s, Bar Le Cote, Priedite BBQ, and others), Los Alamos, CA
- Sara Stayer and Martin Stayer, Nobie’s, Toasted Coconut, and Nonno’s, Houston, TX
- Douglass Williams, MIDA, Boston, MA
Excellent Chef
A chef who units excessive culinary requirements and has served as a optimistic instance for different meals professionals.
- Ann Ahmed, Khâluna, Minneapolis, MN
- Lisa Becklund, FarmBar, Tulsa, OK
- Amy Brandwein, Centrolina, Washington, D.C.
- Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Canje, Austin, TX
- Gilberto Cetina, Holbox, Los Angeles, CA
- William Dissen, The Market Place, Asheville, NC
- Suzette Gresham-Tognetti, Acquerello, San Francisco, CA
- Francis Guzmán, Vianda, San Juan, PR
- David Kirkland and Ernest Servantes, Burnt Bean Co., Seguin, TX
- Gabriel Kreuther, Gabriel Kreuther, New York, NY
- Gregory León, Amilinda, Milwaukee, WI
- Sarah Minnick, Pretty’s Fifty Fifty, Portland, OR
- Ricky Moore, Saltbox Seafood Joint, Durham, NC
- Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction, CO
- Cassie Piuma, Sarma, Somerville, MA
- Carlos Portela, Orujo Taller de Gastronomía, San Juan, PR
- Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon, Portland, OR
- Greg Vernick, Vernick Fish, Philadelphia, PA
- Lee Wolen, Boka, Chicago, IL
- Jungsik Yim, Jungsik, New York, NY
Excellent Restaurant
A restaurant that demonstrates constant excellence in meals, environment, hospitality, and operations.
- Benu, San Francisco, CA
- Chubby Fish, Charleston, SC
- Coquine, Portland, OR
- The Dabney, Washington, D.C.
- Don Angie, New York, NY
- ELEMI, El Paso, TX
- The 4 Horsemen, Brooklyn, NY
- Frasca Meals and Wine, Boulder, CO
- Galit, Chicago, IL
- Georges French Bistro, Wichita, KS
- Ghee Indian Kitchen, Miami, FL
- GW Fins, New Orleans, LA
- Havana, Bar Harbor, ME
- Kalaya, Philadelphia, PA
- Kimball Home, Decatur, GA
- Nonesuch, Oklahoma Metropolis, OK
- Oberlin, Windfall, RI
- Pasjoli, Santa Monica, CA
- Selden Customary, Detroit, MI
- Spoon and Secure, Minneapolis, MN
Rising Chef
A chef who shows distinctive expertise, character, and management means, and who’s more likely to make a big affect in years to return.
- Jordan Anthony-Brown, The Aperture, Cincinnati, OH
- Jesus “Chuy” Cervantes, Damian, Los Angeles, CA
- Bhavin Chhatwani, Tamasha Fashionable Indian, Raleigh, NC
- Paolo Dungca, Hiraya, Washington, D.C.
- Jason Eckerson and Kate Hamm, Fish & Whistle, Biddeford, ME
- Danny Garcia, Time & Tide, New York, NY
- Daniel Garwood, Acru, New York, NY
- Kaitlin Guerin, Lagniappe Bakehouse, New Orleans, LA
- Spencer Horowitz, Hadeem, San Francisco, CA
- Suu Khin, Burmalicious, Houston, TX
- Phila Lorn, Mawn, Philadelphia, PA
- Nikhil Naiker, NIMKI, Windfall, RI
- Anna Nguyen and Ni Nguyen, Sắp Sửa, Denver, CO
- Kayla Pfeiffer, Bicyclette Cookshop, Naples, FL
- Jacob Potashnick, Feld, Chicago, IL
- Keoni Regidor, Lehua, Hilo, HI
- Jane Sacro Chatham, Vicia, St Louis, MO
- Marcela Salas, BibiSol, Sioux Falls, SD
- Lawrence “LT” Smith, Chilte, Phoenix, AZ
- RJ Yoakum, Georgie, Dallas, TX
Finest New Restaurant
A restaurant opened between October 1, 2023, by way of September 30, 2024, that already demonstrates excellence in delicacies, appears more likely to make a big affect in years to return, and demonstrates constant excellence in meals, environment, hospitality, and operations.
- Alma Fonda Fina, Denver, CO
- Atoma, Seattle, WA
- Unhealthy Thought, Nashville, TN
- Bridgetown Roti, Los Angeles, CA
- Bûcheron, Minneapolis, MN
- Café Carmellini, New York, NY
- Cariño, Chicago, IL
- Casa Balam, Decatur, GA
- Corima, New York, NY
- Ema, Houston, TX
- FamilyFriend, Seattle, WA
- Fet-Fisk, Pittsburgh, PA
- Figulina, Raleigh, NC
- 4 Kings, San Francisco, CA
- Kisa, New York, NY
- Lao’d Bar, Austin, TX
- Le Rêve Restaurant & Uncooked Bar, Sheridan, WY
- LUNE, Dennis Port, MA
- Mābo, Dallas, TX
- Maude & the Bear, Staunton, VA
- Mita, Washington, D.C.
Noche, Tulsa, OK - Ômo by Jônt, Winter Park, FL
- Penny, New York, NY
- Porgy’s Seafood Market, New Orleans, LA
- Santo Arcadia, Phoenix, AZ
- Somaek, Boston, MA
- The Union, Helena, MT
- Vecino, Detroit, MI
- Vinai, Minneapolis, MN
Excellent Bakery
A baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates constant excellence in meals, environment, hospitality, and operations.
- 17 Berkshire, Memphis, TN
- Atelier Ortega, Jackson Gap, WY
- Bellegarde Bakery, New Orleans, LA
- Carissa’s the Bakery, Easthampton, NY
- Coda, Albuquerque, NM
- Dan The Baker, Columbus, OH
- Fan Fan Doughnuts, Brooklyn, NY
- Gusto Bread, Lengthy Seaside, CA
- JinJu Patisserie, Portland, OR
- Koffeteria, Houston, TX
- The Native Basic Retailer, Honolulu, HI
- Machine Store, Philadelphia, PA
- Nathaniel Reid Bakery, Kirkwood, MO
- Patisserie Jacqui, Bisbee, AZ
- Quail and Condor, Healdsburg, CA
- Saint Bread, Seattle, WA
- Secret Bakery, Ferndale, MI
- Starship Bagel, Lewisville, TX
- Tremendous Secret Ice Cream, Bethlehem, NH
- Vienne, Bozeman, MT
Excellent Pastry Chef or Baker
A pastry chef or baker who makes desserts, pastries, or breads. Candidate demonstrates distinctive expertise and might be affiliated with any meals enterprise and doesn’t want a brick-and mortar presence.
- Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
- Cat Cox, Nation Fowl Bakery, Tulsa, OK
- Brant Dadaleares, Gross Confection Bar, Portland, ME
- Abigail Dahan, Provenance, Philadelphia, PA
- Adalberto Diaz, Fillings and Emulsions, Salt Lake Metropolis, UT
- Monique Feybesse, Tarts de Feybesse, Oakland, CA
- April Franqueza, The Eating Room at Excessive Hampton, Cashiers, NC
- Chris Hanmer, CH Patisserie, Sioux Falls, SD
- Mateo Herrera, La Puerta del Sol, El Paso, TX
- Antonia Kane, Course, Scottsdale, AZ
- Crystal Kass, Valentine, Phoenix, AZ
- Alexandra La Valle, Larder, Cleveland, OH
- Yohann Le Bescond, Yohann Le Bescond, Ocala, FL
- Helen Jo Leach, The City Firm, Kansas Metropolis, MO
- Lucia Merino, Lucia Patisserie, San Juan, PR
- Camari Mick, Raf’s, New York, NY
- Carolyn Nugent and Alen Ramos, Poulette Bakeshop, Parker, CO
- Leigh Omilinsky, Daisies, Chicago, IL
- Hana Quon, Patisserie HQ, Honolulu, HI
- Nicole Rucker, Fats + Flour, Los Angeles, CA
Excellent Hospitality
A restaurant, bar, or different meals and consuming institution that fosters a way of hospitality amongst its clients and employees that serves as a beacon for the neighborhood and demonstrates constant excellence in meals, environment, hospitality, and operations.
- Archipelago, Seattle, WA
- Aria, Atlanta, GA
- Atomix, New York, NY
- Baobab Fare, Detroit, MI
- Bluebeard, Indianapolis, IN
- Compère Lapin, New Orleans, LA
- Harbor Home Inn, Elk, CA
- Holly Hill Inn, Halfway, KY
- Kai, Gila River Indian Group, AZ
- Little Fish, Philadelphia, PA
- Manoli’s, Salt Lake Metropolis, UT
- Melba’s, New York, NY
- Mixtli, San Antonio, TX
- Mucci’s, Saint Paul, MN
- Persimmon, Windfall, RI
- République, Los Angeles, CA
- Simon’s, Des Moines, IA
- Tail Up Goat, Washington, D.C.
- Taj Indian Delicacies, South Portland, ME
- Vestige, Ocean Springs, MS
Excellent Wine and Different Drinks Program
A restaurant that demonstrates distinctive care and talent within the pairing of wine and different drinks with meals. This contains the choice, preparation, and serving of wine, cocktails, spirits, espresso, tea, beer, or another beverage with excellent hospitality and repair that helps inform and improve a buyer’s appreciation of the beverage(s). Moral sourcing can even be thought of.
- Bar Brava, Minneapolis, MN
- Campo at Los Poblanos, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
- Càphê Roasters, Philadelphia, PA
- Charleston, Baltimore, MD
- Elske, Chicago, IL
- Hawksmoor, New York, NY
- Hop Alley, Denver, CO
- JJ’s Restaurant, Kansas Metropolis, MO
- Kitchen Istanbul, San Francisco, CA
- Leo’s Home of Thirst, Asheville, NC
- Ltd Version Sushi, Seattle, WA
- Lucian Books and Wine, Buckhead, GA
- Macchialina , Miami, FL
- March, Houston, TX
- Oyster Membership, Mystic, CT
- Pluck Wine Bar and Restaurant, New Orleans, LA
- Spencer, Ann Arbor, MI
- Robust Water, Anaheim, CA
- Taconeta, El Paso, TX
- Waxlight Bar à Vin, Buffalo, NY
Excellent Bar
A wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, espresso bar, or another enterprise whose main providing is beverage and that demonstrates constant excellence in curating a range or within the preparation of drinks, together with excellent environment, hospitality, and operations.
- Apothecary, Dallas, TX
- Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge, Milwaukee, WI
- Café La Trova, Miami, FL
- Chandelier Bar, New Orleans, LA
- Satan’s Toboggan, Bozeman, MT
- John Brown’s Underground, Lawrence, KS
- Kumiko, Chicago, IL
- Legislation Fowl, Columbus, OH
- Leyenda, Brooklyn, NY
- Little Rituals, Phoenix, AZ
- Lone Wolf Lounge, Savannah, GA
- Roquette, Seattle, WA
- Scotch Lodge, Portland, OR
- Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar, Austin, TX
- The Bar at Willett, Bardstown, KY
- The Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia, PA
- Thunderbolt, Los Angeles, CA
- True Laurel, San Francisco, CA
- Water Witch, Salt Lake Metropolis, UT
- Wolf Tree, White River Junction, VT
Finest New Bar
A wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, espresso bar, or another enterprise whose main providing is beverage, opened between October 1, 2023 by way of September 30, 2024, that already demonstrates excellence in drinks, appears more likely to make a big affect in years to return, and demonstrates constant excellence within the preparation of drinks, sourcing, service, hospitality, environment, and operations.
- The Abbey, Brunswick, ME
- Company, Milwaukee, WI
- The Bar Beej, Durham, NC
- Bar Cana, Washington, D.C.
- Bar Colette, Dallas, TX
- Bar Contra, New York, NY
- Bisous, Chicago, IL
- Equal Measure, Boston, MA
- The Midway Membership, San Francisco, CA
- Identidad Cocktail Bar, San Juan, PR
- Kampar Kongsi, Philadelphia, PA
- Child Sister, Phoenix, AZ
- Marietta Correct, Marietta, GA
- Merai, Brookline, MA
- Roma Norte, San Diego, CA
- Sip & Guzzle, New York, NY
- Sophon, Seattle, WA
- Touring Mercies, Aurora, CO
- Truce, Chicago, IL
- Vice Versa, Miami, FL
Excellent Skilled in Beverage Service
A service skilled who curates and serves wine, beer, or different choices akin to sake, lowand non-alcoholic drinks in a restaurant or bar setting; or vineyard, distillery or brewery that additionally serves meals. Candidate has set excessive requirements; demonstrates creativity and consistency in excellence, innovation, hospitality; is making efforts to create a sustainable work tradition; and has served as an distinctive instance or mentor for different beverage professionals.
- Allegra Angelo, Vinya Desk, Miami, FL
- Natasha Bahrami, The Gin Room, St. Louis, MO
- Christopher Bates, F.L.X. Desk, Geneva, NY
- Ian Bennett, The Examine, Oklahoma Metropolis, OK
- Alisha Blackwell-Calvert, Madrina, Webster Groves, MO
- Andres Blanco, Le Jardinier, Houston, TX
- Jacob Brown, Lazy Bear, San Francisco, CA
- Jose Medina Camacho, Adios, Birmingham, AL
- Arjav Ezekiel, Birdie’s, Austin, TX
- Cassandra Felix, Daniel, New York, NY
- Joel Gunderson, Heavenly Creatures, Portland, OR
- Marika Josephson and Aaron Kleidon, Scratch Brewing, Ava, IL
- Thomas Kakalios, Asador Bastian, Chicago, IL
- Mary Allen Lindemann, Espresso By Design, Portland, ME
- Alyssa Mikiko DiPasquale, The Koji Membership, Brighton, MA
- Cristie Norman, Delilah, Las Vegas, NV
- Michael Ochsner, PLONK, Bozeman & Missoula, MT
- Femi Oyediran and Miles White, Graft Wine Store, Charleston, SC
- Tonya Pitts, One Market, San Francisco, CA
- Linda Milagros Violago, Canlis, Seattle, WA
Excellent Skilled in Cocktail Service
A service skilled who creates and serves cocktails or different choices akin to low- and nonalcoholic drinks. Candidate has set excessive requirements; demonstrates creativity and consistency in excellence, innovation, hospitality; is making efforts to create a sustainable work tradition; and has served as an distinctive instance or mentor for different beverage professionals.
- Anu Apte, Rob Roy, Seattle, WA
- Kursten Berry, Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, Atlanta, GA
- Jax Donahue, Carry On, Phoenix, AZ
- Kate Gerwin, Completely satisfied Accidents, Albuquerque, NM
- Abigail Gullo, LOA Bar, New Orleans, LA
- McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, Yacht Membership, Denver, CO
- Colleen Hughes, Supperland, Charlotte, NC
- Ignacio Jimenez, Superbueno, New York, NY
- Andra “AJ” Johnson, Serenata, Washington, D.C.
- Dre Levon, Clavel, Baltimore, MD
- Danny Louie, KAIYŌ, San Francisco, CA
- Christopher Marty, Finest Intentions, Chicago, IL
- Nathaniel Meiklejohn, The Jewel Field, Portland, ME
- Dave Newman, Pint + Jigger, Honolulu, HI
- Jay Sanders, Wild Baby, Shawnee, KS
- Tobin Shea, Redbird, Los Angeles, CA
- Oscar Simoza, The Wig Store, Boston, MA
- Mike Stankovich, Longfellow, Cincinnati, OH
- Alan Walter, The Brakes Bar, Baton Rouge, LA
- Takuma Watanabe, Martiny’s, New York, NY
Finest Cooks (by area)
Cooks who set excessive requirements of their culinary expertise and management talents and who’re making efforts to assist create a sustainable work tradition of their respective areas.
Finest Chef: California
- Roberto Alcocer, Valle, Oceanside, CA
- Evan Algorri, Etra, Los Angeles, CA
- Darryl Bell, Stateline Highway Smokehouse, Napa, CA
- Jonny Black, Chez Noir, Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
- Val Cantu, Californios, San Francisco, CA
- Daniel Castillo, Heritage Barbeque, San Juan Capistrano, CA
- Danielle Duran Zecca, Amiga Amore, Los Angeles, CA
- Elvia Garcia and Alex Garcia, Evil Cooks, Los Angeles, CA
- Richard Lee, Saison, San Francisco, CA
- Melissa López, Barra Santos, Los Angeles, CA
- Gaby Maeda, Pals & Household, Oakland, CA
- Jordan Makableh and Saif Makableh, Mazra, Redwood Metropolis, CA
- Tara Monsod, ANIMAE, San Diego, CA
- Charles Namba, Camélia, Los Angeles, CA
- Laura Ozyilmaz and Sayat Ozyilmaz, Dalida, San Francisco, CA
- Kosuke Tada, Mijote, San Francisco, CA
- Kwang Uh, Baroo, Los Angeles, CA
- Ari Weiswasser, Glen Ellen Star, Glen Ellen, CA
- Jon Yao, Kato, Los Angeles, CA
- Nite Yun, Lunette, San Francisco, CA
Finest Chef: Nice Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
- Marcos Ascencio, Mariscos San Pedro, Chicago, IL
- Javier Bardauil, Barda, Detroit, MI
- Avishar Barua, Agni, Columbus, OH
- Jennifer Blakeslee and Eric Patterson, The Cooks’ Home, Traverse Metropolis, MI
- Jonathan Brooks, Beholder, Indianapolis, IN
- Vinnie Cimino, Cordelia, Cleveland, OH
- Missy Corey, Pennyroyal Cafe and Provisions, Saugatuck, MI
- Thai Dang, HaiSous, Chicago, IL
- Diana Davila, Mi Tocaya Antojería, Chicago, IL
- Bo Fowler, BiXi Beer, Chicago, IL
- Joe Frillman, Daisies, Chicago, IL
- David Jackman, Wildweed, Cincinnati, OH
- Chris Jung and Erling Wu-Bower, Maxwells Buying and selling, Chicago, IL
- Ji Hye Kim, Miss Kim, Ann Arbor, MI
- Lamar Moore, ETC., Chicago, IL
- Noah Sandoval, Oriole, Chicago, IL
- Sujan Sarkar, Indienne, Chicago, IL
- Zeeshan Shah and Yoshi Yamada, Superkhana Worldwide, Chicago, IL
- Jeremy Umansky, Larder, Cleveland, OH
- John Yelinek, Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit, MI
Finest Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
- Matt Adler, Cucina Morini, Washington, D.C.
- Anthony Andiario, Andiario, West Chester, PA
- Juan Carlos Aparicio, El Chingon, Philadelphia, PA
- Henji Cheung, Queen’s English, Washington, D.C.
- Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss, Pascual, Washington, D.C.
- Michael Correll, Ruse, St. Michaels, MD
- Carlos Delgado, Causa and Amazonia, Washington, D.C.
- Antimo DiMeo, Bardea Meals & Drink, Wilmington, DE
- Yun Fuentes, Bolo, Philadelphia, PA
- Ruben Garcia, Casa Teresa, Washington, D.C.
- Fernando Gonzalez, 2Fifty Barbeque, Riverdale, MD and Washington, DC
- Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia, PA
- Kate Lasky and Tomasz Skowronski, Apteka, Pittsburgh, PA
- Jasmine Norton, The City Oyster, Baltimore, MD
- Cagla Onal Urel, Inexperienced Almond Pantry, Washington, D.C.
- Dan Richer, Razza, Jersey Metropolis, NJ
- Amanda Shulman, Her Place Supper Membership, Philadelphia, PA
- Jarad Slipp, Tremolo, Middleburg, VA
- David Viana, Lita, Aberdeen, NJ
- Wei Zhu, Chengdu Gourmand, Pittsburgh, PA
Finest Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
- Ross Bachhuber and Samuel Ek, Odd Duck, Milwaukee, WI
- Nick Bognar, Sado, St. Louis, MO
- Chuckie and Jamie Brown-Soukaseume, Ahan, Madison, WI
- Linda Duerr, The Restaurant at 1900, Mission Woods, KS
- Shigeyuki Furukawa, Kado no Mise, Minneapolis, MN
- Abraham Gessesse, Hyacinth, St. Paul, MN
- Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Ceremony, EsterEv, Milwaukee, WI
- Kyle Knall, Birch, Milwaukee, WI
- Johnny Leach, The City Firm, Kansas Metropolis, MO
- Katie Liu-Sung, Chewology, Kansas Metropolis, MO
- Mateo Mackbee, Krewe, Saint Joseph, MN
- Cody Monson, Huckleberry Home, Bismarck, ND
- Diane Moua, Diane’s Place, Minneapolis, MN
- Loryn Nalic, Balkan Deal with Field, Webster Groves, MO
- Tim Nicholson, The Boiler Room, Omaha, NE
- Rozz Petrozz, Saltwell Farm Kitchen, Overbrook, KS
- Joseph Raney, Skogen Kitchen, Custer, SD
- Andy Schumacher, Cobble Hill, Cedar Rapids, IA
- Karyn Tomlinson, Myriel, St. Paul, MN
- David Utterback, Ota and Yoshitomo, Omaha, NE
Finest Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)
- Joshua Adams, Campione, Livingston, MT
- Salvador Alamilla, Amano, Caldwell, ID
- Benjamin Barlow, Stanley Supper Membership, Stanley, ID
- Mike Blocher and Nick Fahs, Desk X, Salt Lake Metropolis, UT
- Erasmo Casiano and Diego Coconati, Lucina Eatery & Bar, Denver, CO
- Rémi Courcenet and Nathan Whitley, Terroir, Boise, ID
- Brandon Cunningham, The Social Haus, Greenough, MT
- Cal Elliott, The Avery, Boise, ID
- Andrew Fuller, Oquirrh, Salt Lake Metropolis, UT
- Matthew Harris, tupelo Park Metropolis, Park Metropolis, UT
- Linda Huang, Hummingbird’s Kitchen, Bozeman, MT
- Porter Koury and Jacob Scott, Sitti’s Desk, Cody, WY
- Bo Porytko, Molotov Kitschen + Cocktails, Denver, CO
- Paul C. Reilly, Coperta, Denver, CO
- Hosea Rosenberg, Blackbelly, Boulder, CO
- Nick Steen Gullings, Walkers Grill, Billings, MT
- Kenneth Wan, MAKFam, Denver, CO
- David Wells, The Tasting Room at Chico Sizzling Springs Resort & Day Spa, Pray, MT
- Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver, CO
- Nick Zocco, City Hill, Salt Lake Metropolis, UT
Finest Chef: New York State
- Fariyal Abdullahi, Hav & Mar, New York, NY
- Nasim Alikhani, Sofreh, Brooklyn, NY
- Ayo Balogun, Dept of Tradition, Brooklyn, NY
- Giovanni Cervantes, Carnitas Ramirez, New York, NY
- Chris Cipollone, Francie, Brooklyn, NY
- Suzanne Cupps, Lola’s, New York, NY
- Clare de Boer, Stissing Home, Pine Plains, NY
- Aretah Ettarh, Gramercy Tavern, New York, NY
- Ryan Fernandez, Southern Junction, Buffalo, NY
- Marcus Glocker, Koloman, New York, NY
- Efrén Hernández, Casa Susanna, Leeds, NY
- Eiji Ichimura, Ichimura, New York, NY
- Brian Kim, Oiji Mi, New York, NY
- Hooni Kim, Meju, Queens, NY
- Atsushi Kono, Kono, New York, NY
- Vijay Kumar, Semma, New York, NY
- Shaina Loew-Banayan, Café Mutton, Hudson, NY
- Kwame Onwuachi, Tatiana, New York, NY
- Hillary Sterling, Ci Siamo, New York, NY
- Emily Yuen, Lingo, Brooklyn, NY
Finest Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
- Robert Andreozzi, Pizza Marvin, Windfall, RI
- Avery Buck, Might Day, Burlington, VT
- John DaSilva, Chickadee, Boston, MA
- Conor Dennehy, Tallula, Cambridge, MA
- Subat Dilmurat, Jahunger, Windfall, RI
- Lee Frank, Lee Frank’s, South Berwick, ME
- Michelle Greenfield, Allium Eatery, Westport, CT
- Sky Haneul Kim, Reward Horse, Windfall, RI
- Valentine Howell, Black Cat, Jamaica Plain, MA
- Kwasi Kwaa, Consolation Kitchen, Boston, MA
- Brian Lewis, The Cottage, Westport, CT
- Charlie Menard, Canteen Creemee, Waitsfield, VT
- Rachel Miller, Nightshade Noodle Bar, Lynn, MA
- Erin Miller, City Fireside, Cambridge, MA
- Nicole Nocella, Stalk, Dover, NH
- Nick Rabar, Honeybird Kitchen & Cocktails, East Windfall, RI
- Jordan Rubin, Mr. Tuna, Portland, ME
- Michael Serpa, Choose Oyster, Boston, MA
- Jake Stevens, Leeward, Portland, ME
- Derek Wagner, Nicks on Broadway, Windfall, RI
Finest Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
- Janet Becerra, Pancita, Seattle, WA
- Jay Blackinton, Houlme, Orcas Island, WA
- Ki Chung, Bar Māze, Honolulu, HI
- Logan Cox, Homer, Seattle, WA
- Joshua Dorcak, MÄS, Ashland, OR
- Aisha Ibrahim, Canlis, Seattle, WA
- Ed Kenney, Mud Hen Water, Honolulu, HI
- Hyun Kim, O’Kims, Honolulu, HI
- Kevin Lane, The Cookery, Seward, AK
- Andrew Le, The Pig and the Woman, Honolulu, HI
- Isaiah Martinez, Yardy Rum Bar, Eugene, OR
- Ajay Panicker, Kathakali, An Indian Eatery, Kirkland, WA
- Thomas Pisha-Duffly, Gado Gado, Portland, OR
- Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland, OR
- Sarah Schafer, Humble Spirit, McMinnville, OR
- Beau Schooler, In Bocca Al Lupo, Juneau, AK
- Kari Shaughnessy, Hayward, McMinnville, OR
- Sheldon Simeon, Tiffany’s, Wailuku, HI
- Jun Takai, Takai by Kashiba, Bellevue, WA
- Timothy Wastell, Antica Terra, Amity, OR
Finest Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)
- Nikhil Abuvala, Roux 30a, Santa Rosa Seaside, FL
- Melissa Araujo, Alma Cafe, New Orleans, LA
- David Bancroft, Acre, Auburn, AL
- Madonna Broussard, Laura’s II, Lafayette, LA
- Ana Castro, Acamaya, New Orleans, LA
- Nando Chang, Itamae AO, Miami, FL
- Matthew Cooper, Conifer, Bentonville, AR
- Hunter Evans, Elvie’s, Jackson, MS
- Kevin Garcia, La Faena AgroCocina, Guaynabo, PR
- Gabriel Hernandez, Verde Mesa, San Juan, PR
- Lordfer Lalicon, Kaya, Orlando, FL
- Nicole Cabrera Mills, Pêche Seafood Grill, New Orleans, LA
- Angel David Moreno Zayas, El Gallo Pinto, Guayama, PR
- Sean “Sonny” Nguyen, Domu, Orlando, FL
- Carol Reyes, Bóveda, San Juan, PR
- Arwen Rice, Purple or White, Cellular, AL
- Rafael Rios, Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico, Bentonville, AR
- Tresse Sumrall and Austin Sumrall, White Pillars, Biloxi, MS
- Arvinder Vilkhu and Ashwin Vilkhu, Saffron Nola, New Orleans, LA
- Jordan Wright, Wright’s Barbecue, Johnson, AR
Finest Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)
- Olivier Bouzerand, Fait Maison, Edmond, OK
- Jose Contreras, Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen, Tucson, AZ
- DJ Flores, Milpa, Las Vegas, NV
- Tahnee Francis, Naija Spouse Kitchen, Oklahoma Metropolis, OK
- Donald Hawk, Valentine, Phoenix, AZ
- Stephen Jones, The Larder & The Delta, Phoenix, AZ
- Bernie Kantak, Inexperienced persons Luck, Scottsdale, AZ
- Kevin Lee, Birdie’s, Edmond, OK
- Yotaka Martin, Lom Wong, Phoenix, AZ
- Cory Oppold, COURSE, Scottsdale, AZ
- Cristian Pontiggia, Sassella, Santa Fe, NM
- Kattia Rojas, Buen Provecho, Albuquerque, NM
- Fernando Ruiz, Escondido, Santa Fe, NM
- Sean Sinclair, Degree 5, Albuquerque, NM
- Eric Smith, The Crown, Oklahoma Metropolis, OK
- Sarah Thompson, Casa Playa, Las Vegas, NV
- Michael Vakneen, Double Zero Pie & Pub, Las Vegas, NV
- Eleazar Villanueva, Restaurant de Joël Robuchon, Las Vegas, NV
- Zack Walters, Sedalia’s, Oklahoma Metropolis, OK
- Joseph Wrede, Joseph’s Culinary Pub, Santa Fe, NM
Finest Chef: Texas
- Ope Amosu, ChòpnBlọk, Houston, TX
- Takéhiro Asazu and Masazumi Saio, Uroko, Austin, TX
- Thomas Bille, Stomach of the Beast, Spring, TX
- Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó, Houston, TX
- Leo Davila, Stixs & Stone, San Antonio, TX
- Evelyn Garcia, Jūn, Houston, TX
- Alexandra Gates, Cochineal, Marfa, Texas
- Fasicka Hicks and Patrick Hicks, Smoke’N Ash BBQ, Arlington, TX
- Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin, Finest High quality Daughter, San Antonio, TX
- Gray Hwang, Shiro Japanese Bistro, San Antonio, Texas
- Evan LeRoy, LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, Austin, TX
- Beatriz Martines, Xalisko, The Woodlands, TX
- Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre, San Antonio, TX
- Anais Paniagua and Iris Rojas, Doña Maria, Irving, TX
- John Ramos and Jonathan Reyes, Chika, San Antonio, TX
- Regino Rojas, Purépecha, Dallas, TX
- Alex Sarmiento and Brenda Sarmiento, El Pastor Es Mi Señor, San Antonio, TX
- Michael Anthony Serva, Bordo, Marfa, TX
- David Skinner, Ishtia, Kemah, TX
- Eugenio Uribe, Le Rêve, Brownsville, TX
Disclosure: Some Vox Media employees members are a part of the voting physique for the James Beard Awards.