oscars of the food world

4 Houston chefs and restaurants are James Beard Award finalists

Houston has had a strong showing among the finalists for this year’s James Beard Awards. The city’s chefs and restaurants scored two nominations in nationwide categories as well as two of the five nominations for Best Chef: Texas.

Here are all of the Texas nominees in the national categories:

Emerging Chef: RJ Yoakum, Georgie (Dallas)
Best New Restaurant: Ema (Houston)
Best New Restaurant: Mabo (Dallas)
Best New Bar: Bar Colette (Dallas)
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Arjav Ezekiel, Birdie’s (Austin)
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: March (Houston)
Outstanding Bakery: Starship Bagel (Dallas)
Outstanding Hospitality: Mixtli (San Antonio)

Emmanuel Chavez Tatemo James Beard Awards

Photo by Getty Images for James Beard Foundation

Chef Emmanuel Chavez is a three-time Beard Awards finalist.

The nominees for Best Chef: Texas include two nominees from Houston. Here are all of the nominees in the category:

Thomas Bille, Belly of the Beast (Spring)
Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó (Houston)
Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre (San Antonio)
Regino Rojas, Purépecha (Dallas)
Michael Anthony Serva, Bordo (Marfa)

The finalists are drawn from the semifinalists who were announced in January. Houston led the way with 13 total semifinalist nominations. Dallas and San Antonio restaurants earned eight semifinalist nominations each, followed by six for Austin-area establishments.

Considered the Oscars of the food world, the James Beard Foundation announced the finalists for its Restaurant and Chef Awards on Wednesday, April 2. The awards recognize excellence by chefs and other culinary professionals in a wide range of categories ranging from Outstanding Chef to Best New Restaurant. For 2025, the James Beard Foundation added three new categories to recognize the beverage side of hospitality: Best New Bar. Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.

Winners must also have “demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive,” according to the organization’s website. The awards also include media categories that will be announced on May 7.

Notably, all four of Houston's nominees also earned spots in the Michelin Guide. Both Ema and Belly of the Beast hold Bib Gourmand designations, while Tatemó and March are two of the six Houston-area restaurants to receive a coveted Michelin star.

While Ema, Billie, and March are all first-time finalists, Chavez has now been a finalist three times: once for Best New Restaurant and twice for Best Chef: Texas.

“These remarkable leaders exemplify our 'Good Food for Good' mission through their commitment to excellence, to the evolution of the independent restaurant industry, and our broader food culture,” James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach said in a statement. “We look forward to celebrating everyone at the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards in June.”

The Foundation will reveal its Restaurant and Chef Award winners at an awards ceremony on Monday, June 16, 2024, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

awards chefs james beard awards

there's the rub

Restaurant known for 'new Houston cuisine' now open in Cypress

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.

A restaurant known for its eclectic “new Houston cuisine” has opened in Cypress. The fourth location of Jonathan’s the Rub is now open for dinner in Bridgeland (20215 Bridgeland Creek Parkway).

First announced last year, the new Jonathan’s is located in Village Green, a 70-acre mixed-use development within the 925-acre Bridgeland Central district. The 5,500-square-foot restaurant includes two patios totaling 2,600 square feet, giving the restaurant plenty of room for private dining rooms, a bar area, and indoor-outdoor areas with fire pits and greenery.

“We were looking for the next frontier — a community with a booming population and a clear vision for growth that aligns with our brand,” chef-owner Jonathan Levine said in a statement. “When we discovered Bridgeland and learned it was a Howard Hughes development, we were immediately impressed. With their reputation for developing generational communities, we felt confident that Bridgeland was the right place for our family and for Jonathan’s the Rub.”

Like Jonathan’s three other locations, the menu at Bridgeland is built around Levine’s signature “new Houston cuisine,” a kicked-up take on comfort food that includes everything from lobster tacos and blackened shrimp and grits to Italian American classics and steakhouse fare.

Village Green is also home to H-E-B and restaurants such as Sweet Paris Crêperie & Café and Crust Pizza Co. Austin-based burger joint P. Terry’s will open there next year.

“Jonathan’s the Rub’s arrival in Bridgeland Central brings a distinguished addition to the culinary scene in both the community and northwest Houston,” said Jim Carman, president of the Texas region, for Bridgeland developer Howard Hughes Communities. “We’re proud to partner with exceptional restaurateurs like Chef Jonathan Levine to bring elevated dining experiences that enhance the lifestyle offerings for our residents and neighbors.”

Courtesy of Jonathan's the Rub

Jonathan's the Rub serves steaks and other dishes.