Here’s who made the list this year

Today, the James Beard Foundation announced this year’s semifinalist nominees, 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 these 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:

2025 James Beard Awards: Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists

Outstanding Restaurateur

A restaurateur who uses their establishment(s) as a vehicle for building community, 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 Bird Provisions, and The Progress, San Francisco, CA
• Cara Chigazola-Tobin and Allison Gibson, Honey Road and Gray Jay, Burlington, VT
• Sue Chin and Jason Chin, Good Salt Restaurant Group (Seito Sushi, Reyes Mezcaleria, The Osprey, and others), Orlando, FL
• Gerard Craft, Niche Food Group (Brasserie, Pastaria, None 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 Management (COTE, Undercote, and COQODAQ), New York, NY
• Lavanya Mahate, Saffron Valley Restaurants, Salt Lake City, UT
• Elliot Nelson, McNellie’s Group (McNellie’s and others), Tulsa and Oklahoma City, OK
• Quynh Pham and Yenvy Pham, Phở Bắc Súp Shop, Phởcific Standard 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

Outstanding Chef

A chef who sets high culinary standards and has served as a positive example for other food 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, Lovely’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

Outstanding Restaurant

A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, 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 Four Horsemen, Brooklyn, NY
• Frasca Food 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 House, Decatur, GA
• Nonesuch, Oklahoma City, OK
• Oberlin, Providence, RI
• Pasjoli, Santa Monica, CA
• Selden Standard, Detroit, MI
• Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis, MN

Emerging Chef

A chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.

• Jordan Anthony-Brown, The Aperture, Cincinnati, OH
• Jesus “Chuy” Cervantes, Damian, Los Angeles, CA
• Bhavin Chhatwani, Tamasha Modern 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, Providence, 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

Best New Restaurant

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.

• Alma Fonda Fina, Denver, CO
• Atoma, Seattle, WA
• Bad Idea, 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
• Four Kings, San Francisco, CA
• Kisa, New York, NY
• Lao’d Bar, Austin, TX
• Le Rêve Restaurant & Raw 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

Outstanding Bakery

A baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.

• 17 Berkshire, Memphis, TN
• Atelier Ortega, Jackson Hole, 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, Long Beach, CA
• JinJu Patisserie, Portland, OR
• Koffeteria, Houston, TX
• The Local General Store, Honolulu, HI
• Machine Shop, 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
• Super Secret Ice Cream, Bethlehem, NH
• Vienne, Bozeman, MT

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

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.

• Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
• Cat Cox, Country Bird Bakery, Tulsa, OK
• Brant Dadaleares, Gross Confection Bar, Portland, ME
• Abigail Dahan, Provenance, Philadelphia, PA
• Adalberto Diaz, Fillings and Emulsions, Salt Lake City, UT
• Monique Feybesse, Tarts de Feybesse, Oakland, CA
• April Franqueza, The Dining Room at High 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 Town Company, Kansas City, 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, Fat + Flour, Los Angeles, CA

Outstanding Hospitality

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.

• Archipelago, Seattle, WA
• Aria, Atlanta, GA
• Atomix, New York, NY
• Baobab Fare, Detroit, MI
• Bluebeard, Indianapolis, IN
• Compère Lapin, New Orleans, LA
• Harbor House Inn, Elk, CA
• Holly Hill Inn, Midway, KY
• Kai, Gila River Indian Community, AZ
• Little Fish, Philadelphia, PA
• Manoli’s, Salt Lake City, UT
• Melba’s, New York, NY
• Mixtli, San Antonio, TX
• Mucci’s, Saint Paul, MN
• Persimmon, Providence, RI
• République, Los Angeles, CA
• Simon’s, Des Moines, IA
• Tail Up Goat, Washington, D.C.
• Taj Indian Cuisine, South Portland, ME
• Vestige, Ocean Springs, MS

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

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.

• 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 City, MO
• Kitchen Istanbul, San Francisco, CA
• Leo’s House of Thirst, Asheville, NC
• Ltd Edition Sushi, Seattle, WA
• Lucian Books and Wine, Buckhead, GA
• Macchialina , Miami, FL
• March, Houston, TX
• Oyster Club, Mystic, CT
• Pluck Wine Bar and Restaurant, New Orleans, LA
• Spencer, Ann Arbor, MI
• Strong Water, Anaheim, CA
• Taconeta, El Paso, TX
• Waxlight Bar à Vin, Buffalo, NY

Outstanding Bar

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.

• Apothecary, Dallas, TX
• Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge, Milwaukee, WI
• Café La Trova, Miami, FL
• Chandelier Bar, New Orleans, LA
• Devil’s Toboggan, Bozeman, MT
• John Brown’s Underground, Lawrence, KS
• Kumiko, Chicago, IL
• Law Bird, 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 City, UT
• Wolf Tree, White River Junction, VT

Best New Bar

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.

• The Abbey, Brunswick, ME
• Agency, 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 Halfway Club, San Francisco, CA
• Identidad Cocktail Bar, San Juan, PR
• Kampar Kongsi, Philadelphia, PA
• Kid Sister, Phoenix, AZ
• Marietta Proper, Marietta, GA
• Merai, Brookline, MA
• Roma Norte, San Diego, CA
• Sip & Guzzle, New York, NY
• Sophon, Seattle, WA
• Traveling Mercies, Aurora, CO
• Truce, Chicago, IL
• Vice Versa, Miami, FL

Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service

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.

• Allegra Angelo, Vinya Table, Miami, FL
• Natasha Bahrami, The Gin Room, St. Louis, MO
• Christopher Bates, F.L.X. Table, Geneva, NY
• Ian Bennett, The Study, Oklahoma City, 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, Coffee By Design, Portland, ME
• Alyssa Mikiko DiPasquale, The Koji Club, Brighton, MA
• Cristie Norman, Delilah, Las Vegas, NV
• Michael Ochsner, PLONK, Bozeman & Missoula, MT
• Femi Oyediran and Miles White, Graft Wine Shop, Charleston, SC
• Tonya Pitts, One Market, San Francisco, CA
• Linda Milagros Violago, Canlis, Seattle, WA

Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service

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.

• Anu Apte, Rob Roy, Seattle, WA
• Kursten Berry, Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, Atlanta, GA
• Jax Donahue, Carry On, Phoenix, AZ
• Kate Gerwin, Happy Accidents, Albuquerque, NM
• Abigail Gullo, LOA Bar, New Orleans, LA
• McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, Yacht Club, 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, Best Intentions, Chicago, IL
• Nathaniel Meiklejohn, The Jewel Box, Portland, ME
• Dave Newman, Pint + Jigger, Honolulu, HI
• Jay Sanders, Wild Child, Shawnee, KS
• Tobin Shea, Redbird, Los Angeles, CA
• Oscar Simoza, The Wig Shop, Boston, MA
• Mike Stankovich, Longfellow, Cincinnati, OH
• Alan Walter, The Brakes Bar, Baton Rouge, LA
• Takuma Watanabe, Martiny’s, New York, NY

Best Chefs (by region)

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.

Best Chef: California

• Roberto Alcocer, Valle, Oceanside, CA
• Evan Algorri, Etra, Los Angeles, CA
• Darryl Bell, Stateline Road 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, Friends & Family, Oakland, CA
• Jordan Makableh and Saif Makableh, Mazra, Redwood City, 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

Best Chef: Great 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’ House, Traverse City, 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 Trading, 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 International, Chicago, IL
• Jeremy Umansky, Larder, Cleveland, OH
• John Yelinek, Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit, MI

Best 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 Food & 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 Urban Oyster, Baltimore, MD
• Cagla Onal Urel, Green Almond Pantry, Washington, D.C.
• Dan Richer, Razza, Jersey City, NJ
• Amanda Shulman, Her Place Supper Club, Philadelphia, PA
• Jarad Slipp, Tremolo, Middleburg, VA
• David Viana, Lita, Aberdeen, NJ
• Wei Zhu, Chengdu Gourmet, Pittsburgh, PA

Best 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 Rite, EsterEv, Milwaukee, WI
• Kyle Knall, Birch, Milwaukee, WI
• Johnny Leach, The Town Company, Kansas City, MO
• Katie Liu-Sung, Chewology, Kansas City, MO
• Mateo Mackbee, Krewe, Saint Joseph, MN
• Cody Monson, Huckleberry House, Bismarck, ND
• Diane Moua, Diane’s Place, Minneapolis, MN
• Loryn Nalic, Balkan Treat Box, 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

Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)

• Joshua Adams, Campione, Livingston, MT
• Salvador Alamilla, Amano, Caldwell, ID
• Benjamin Barlow, Stanley Supper Club, Stanley, ID
• Mike Blocher and Nick Fahs, Table X, Salt Lake City, 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 City, UT
• Matthew Harris, tupelo Park City, Park City, UT
• Linda Huang, Hummingbird’s Kitchen, Bozeman, MT
• Porter Koury and Jacob Scott, Sitti’s Table, 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 Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa, Pray, MT
• Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver, CO
• Nick Zocco, Urban Hill, Salt Lake City, UT

Best Chef: New York State

• Fariyal Abdullahi, Hav & Mar, New York, NY
• Nasim Alikhani, Sofreh, Brooklyn, NY
• Ayo Balogun, Dept of Culture, 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 House, 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

Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

• Robert Andreozzi, Pizza Marvin, Providence, RI
• Avery Buck, May Day, Burlington, VT
• John DaSilva, Chickadee, Boston, MA
• Conor Dennehy, Tallula, Cambridge, MA
• Subat Dilmurat, Jahunger, Providence, RI
• Lee Frank, Lee Frank’s, South Berwick, ME
• Michelle Greenfield, Allium Eatery, Westport, CT
• Sky Haneul Kim, Gift Horse, Providence, RI
• Valentine Howell, Black Cat, Jamaica Plain, MA
• Kwasi Kwaa, Comfort Kitchen, Boston, MA
• Brian Lewis, The Cottage, Westport, CT
• Charlie Menard, Canteen Creemee, Waitsfield, VT
• Rachel Miller, Nightshade Noodle Bar, Lynn, MA
• Erin Miller, Urban Hearth, Cambridge, MA
• Nicole Nocella, Stalk, Dover, NH
• Nick Rabar, Honeybird Kitchen & Cocktails, East Providence, RI
• Jordan Rubin, Mr. Tuna, Portland, ME
• Michael Serpa, Select Oyster, Boston, MA
• Jake Stevens, Leeward, Portland, ME
• Derek Wagner, Nicks on Broadway, Providence, RI

Best 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 Lady, 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

Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)

• Nikhil Abuvala, Roux 30a, Santa Rosa Beach, 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, Red or White, Mobile, 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

Best 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 Wife Kitchen, Oklahoma City, OK
• Donald Hawk, Valentine, Phoenix, AZ
• Stephen Jones, The Larder & The Delta, Phoenix, AZ
• Bernie Kantak, Beginners 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, Level 5, Albuquerque, NM
• Eric Smith, The Crown, Oklahoma City, 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 City, OK
• Joseph Wrede, Joseph’s Culinary Pub, Santa Fe, NM

Best Chef: Texas

• Ope Amosu, ChòpnBlọk, Houston, TX
• Takéhiro Asazu and Masazumi Saio, Uroko, Austin, TX
• Thomas Bille, Belly 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, Best Quality Daughter, San Antonio, TX
• Grey 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 staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards.