The 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists
The wait is finally over. The James Beard Awards, often referred to as the “Oscars of food,” has announced its semifinalist list this morning. This year, 13 Houston-area restaurants made the list, including six for Best Chef: Texas and seven in national categories.
The award is the most prestigious in the American culinary community—aside from Michelin, of course. The James Beard Foundation counts on hundreds of judges to go on year-round quests to find the most exceptional talent. And we’d be lying if we said we aren’t jealous of all the food they get to try.
Notable Houston restaurants and chefs who made the cut for the 2025 semifinalist list include Ema for Best New Restaurant, March for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program, and Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó for Best Chef: Texas. (See the full list below.)
These talented semifinalists are now part of a list of chefs that dates back to 1991, when the inaugural awards were held. They are named after America’s first “foodie,” James Beard, who wrote several cookbooks, became the host of the country’s first food program, and established the James Beard Cooking school.
Last year, only one Houston chef advanced to the nominee round: Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó for Best Chef: Texas, but he ultimately fell short of an award. However, in 2023, chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter, the owner of Thai restaurant Street to Kitchen, won the category. In 2022, Alba Huerta’s cocktail bar, Julep, made headlines for its historic win of Houston’s first award in a national category, with recognition for Outstanding Bar Program. And when Texas was lumped into Best Chef: Southwest prior to 2020, Hugo Ortega and Chris Shepherd both took home awards.
Here’s hoping the 2025 awards are kind to Houston chefs and love them just as much as we do. The winners will be announced at the June ceremony in Chicago. Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for—drumroll, please—we present to you, Houston’s semifinalists.
Houston Semifinalists in National Categories
- Emerging Chef: Suu Khin, Burmalicious
- Best New Restaurant: Ema
- Outstanding Bakery: Koffeteria
- Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Andres Blanco, Le Jardinier
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Martin and Sara Stayer, Nobie’s, Toasted Coconut, and Nonno’s
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Itai Ben Eli and Itamar Levy, Sof Hospitality (Hamsa, Doris Metropolitan, and Badolina Bakery)
- Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: March
Houston-Area Semifinalists in Best Chef: Texas Category
- David Skinner, Ishtia (Kemah)
- Evelyn Garcia, Jūn
- Ope Amosu, ChòpnBlọk
- Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó
- Thomas Bille, Belly of the Beast (Spring)
- Beatriz Martines, Xalisko (The Woodlands)
James Beard Semifinalists Elsewhere in Texas
- Emerging Chef: RJ Yoakum, Georgie (Dallas)
- Best New Bar: Bar Colette (Dallas)
- Best New Restaurant: Mābo (Dallas)
- Best New Restaurant: Lao’d Bar (Austin)
- Outstanding Bakery: Starship Bagel (Lewisville)
- Outstanding Bar: Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar (Austin)
- Outstanding Bar: Apothecary (Dallas)
- Outstanding Chef: David Kirkland and Ernest Servantes, Burnt Bean Co. (Seguin)
- Outstanding Chef: Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Canje (Austin)
- Outstanding Hospitality: Mixtli (San Antonio)
- Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Mateo Herrera, La Puerta del Sol (El Paso)
- Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Arjav Ezekiel, Birdie’s (Austin)
- Outstanding Restaurant: Elemi (El Paso)
- Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: Taconeta (El Paso)
- Best Chef: Texas: Eugenio Uribe, Le Rêve (Brownsville)
- Best Chef: Texas: Michael Anthony Serva, Bordo (Marfa)
- Best Chef: Texas: Alexandra Gates, Cochineal (Marfa)
- Best Chef: Texas: Fasicka and Patrick Hicks, Smoke’N Ash BBQ (Arlington)
- Best Chef: Texas: Iris Rojas and Anais Paniagua, Doña Maria (Irving)
- Best Chef: Texas: Evan LeRoy, LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue (Austin)
- Best Chef: Texas: Masazumi Saio and Takéhiro Asazu, Uroko (Austin)
- Best Chef: Texas: Leo Davila, Stixs & Stone (San Antonio)
- Best Chef: Texas: Brenda and Alex Sarmiento, El Pastor Es Mi Señor (San Antonio)
- Best Chef: Texas: Regino Rojas, Purépecha (Dallas)
- Best Chef: Texas: John Ramos and Jonathan Reyes, Chika (San Antonio)
- Best Chef: Texas: Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin, Best Quality Daughter (San Antonio)
- Best Chef: Texas: Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre (San Antonio)
- Best Chef: Texas: Grey Hwang, Shiro Japanese Bistro (San Antonio)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the James Beard Award?
A: The James Beard Award is the most prestigious award in the American culinary community, recognizing outstanding talent in the industry.
Q: Who is James Beard?
A: James Beard was an American chef, food writer, and teacher who is often referred to as the "first foodie." He wrote several cookbooks, hosted the country’s first food program, and established the James Beard Cooking school.
Q: How are the semifinalists selected?
A: The semifinalists are selected by a panel of judges who go on year-round quests to find the most exceptional talent in the industry.
Q: When are the winners announced?
A: The winners will be announced at the June ceremony in Chicago.
