Overview
- The James Beard Foundation announced its 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award finalists on April 2, narrowing down semifinalists revealed in January.
- Minnesota chefs and establishments, including Ann Ahmed of Khâluna and Bar Brava, are among the national finalists this year.
- San Francisco chefs Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski are finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur, while other Bay Area nominees compete in categories like Best Chef: California.
- Chicago finalists include Galit for Outstanding Restaurant and Kumiko for Outstanding Bar, alongside multiple nominees in regional chef categories.
- New award categories, such as Best New Bar, reflect evolving culinary trends, with Brookline’s Merai among the inaugural finalists.