Houston is well represented on the list of semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards. Overall, Houston received seven nominations in national categories and six nominations for Best Chef: Texas.
The national nominees are:
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Itai Ben Eli and Itamar Levy, Sof Hospitality Group (Hamsa, Badolina Bakery, Doris Metropolitan, and Okto)
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Sara Stayer and Martin Stayer, Nobie's, Toasted Coconut, and Nonno's
- Emerging Chef: Suu Khin, Burmalicious
- Best New Restaurant: Ema
- Outstanding Bakery: Koffeteria
- Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: March
- Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Andres Blanco, Le Jardinier
Best Chef: Texas nominees:
- Ope Amosu, ChòpnBlọk
- Thomas Bille, Belly of the Beast (Spring)
- Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó
- Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu, Jūn
- Beatriz Martines, Xalisko (The Woodlands)
- David Skinner, Ishtia (Kemah)
Considered the Oscars of the food world, the awards recognize excellence by chefs and other culinary professionals in a wide range of categories ranging from Outstanding Chef to Best New Restaurant. The James Beard Foundation added three new categories this year to recognize the beverage side of hospitality: Best New Bar. Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.
The awards also include media categories that will be announced on May 7. Recipients of the coveted America’s Classic award will be announced on February 26.
“Excellence in food remains at the core of these awards; winning entries will also align with the Awards mission statement and the values of the James Beard Foundation. Candidates should also be making efforts to create a sustainable work culture, while contributing positively to their broader community,” the organization’s website states.
Elsewhere in Texas, Dallas boasts eight nominees, San Antonio has eight, and Austin received six. Notably, Chavez is the only 2024 Best Chef: Texas finalist to return for 2025. Bille, Koffeteria, Amosu, Garcia, and Sof Hospitality also earned semifinalists nominations in 2024.
Houston is looking to bounce back in this year’s awards. Last year, the city earned a strong 11 semifinalist nominations but only garnered one finalist nomination — Best Chef: Texas for Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó. In 2022, Southern-inspired cocktail bar Julep won the city’s first ever national award for Outstanding Bar Program. Street to Kitchen chef-owner Benchawan Jabthong Painter followed that up in 2023 by taking home the city’s first Best Chef: Texas award.
Finalists will be announced on April 2. The Foundation will reveal its winners at an awards ceremony on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The owners of Hamsa are nominated for Outstanding Restaurateur.
