The James Beard Foundation has announced the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists for the James Beard Awards. This year’s edition is particularly special as it celebrates the foundation’s 35th anniversary. Moreover, many of the nominated chefs and restaurants are actively supporting the community during the fires.
Widely regarded as the most prestigious honors in the culinary and food media industries, the awards highlight exceptional talent while championing equity, sustainability, and an inclusive, thriving culinary culture.
Under the Best New Restaurant category is Bridgetown Roti, a casual eatery serving Trinidadian and Bajan dishes. Recently, they launched an initiative to provide free hot meals, including Channa, Chicken Curry Bowls, Lugaw, and Caldo de Pollo, to those in need.
Pasjoli, a seasonal and luxurious Parisian bistro in Santa Monica, is also vying for the Best New Restaurant award. The restaurant has led efforts to serve a special menu and offer free meals to first responders and evacuees.
Gilberto Cetina, chef of Holbox, a restaurant known for its raw and cooked Yucatan-style seafood like ceviche and tacos, is a strong contender for the Outstanding Chef award. Holbox also joined many others in providing free meals to first responders.
République, one of the city’s top dining spots, is nominated for the Outstanding Hospitality award. The restaurant supported firefighters and first responders by offering food, drinks, and pastries.
In the Best Chef: California category, Angelenos shine with nominees such as Evan Algorri of Etra; Elvia Garcia and Alex Garcia of Evil Cooks; Melissa López of Barra Santos; Charles Namba of Camélia; Kwang Uh of Baroo; Jon Yao of Kato; and Danielle Duran Zecca of Amiga Amore, a restaurant that also donated meals during the fires.
The classic bar Thunderbolt is a semi-finalist for Best Bar, while Tobin Shea of Redbird is in the running for the Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service award.
Jesus “Chuy” Cervantes, recognized for his work at the Mexican restaurant Damian, is a semifinalist in the Emerging Chef category.
If you have a sweet tooth, don’t miss Fat + Flour. Nicole Rucker, their talented pastry chef, is nominated for the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker award.