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The James Beard Foundation has announced the winners of its 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards, recognizing excellence in the culinary arts, food and beverage, and hospitality industries. The awards ceremony took place at the Lyric Opera Chicago on June 16, co-hosted by chef Nyesha Arrington and TV personality Andrew Zimmern.
Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, said, "It’s with deep celebration that we congratulate the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award winners—distinguished culinary, beverage, and hospitality leaders whose talent and vision are shaping our dining landscape." Dawn Padmore, VP of Awards at the foundation, added her congratulations to this year’s winners and expressed pride in welcoming winners from new beverage categories.
The awards highlight a range of categories from outstanding restaurateur to best chefs by region. Among this year's honorees were Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr for Outstanding Restaurateur; Jungsik Yim for Outstanding Chef; Frasca Food and Wine for Outstanding Restaurant; Phila Lorn as Emerging Chef; Bûcheron as Best New Restaurant; JinJu Patisserie for Outstanding Bakery; Cat Cox as Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker; Atomix for Outstanding Hospitality; Charleston for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program; Kumiko as Outstanding Bar; Identidad Cocktail Bar as Best New Bar; Arjav Ezekiel as Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service; Ignacio "Nacho" Jimenez as Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.
