Today, the James Beard Foundation unveiled its highly anticipated list of semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards, celebrating outstanding chefs and restaurants. New York City's dining scene is replete with talent, featuring renowned establishments such as Corima and Le Veau d’Or.

Outstanding Restaurateurs

This year, Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr received acclaim for revitalizing the classic Le Veau d'Or in Manhattan, alongside Simon Kim of Gracious Hospitality Management, the brains behind popular spots like COTE and Undercote.

Outstanding Chefs

Among the shining stars are Gabriel Kreuther of his eponymous restaurant and Jungsik Yim, representing his acclaimed fine dining venue, Jungsik. These chefs are redefining culinary excellence in NYC.

Outstanding Restaurants

The competition is fierce, with Don Angie - an Italian American gem in West Village - and Williamsburg's Four Horsemen making the list.

Emerging Chefs

Look out for Danny Garcia at Time and Tide, a seafood haven from the late James Kent’s hospitality group, and Daniel Garwood from the innovative Australian restaurant Acru. These chefs are set to make waves in the culinary world.

Outstanding Hospitality

Beyond the traditional categories, the Outstanding Hospitality category recognized Korean fine dining institution Atomix and Harlem’s beloved Melba’s. The British steakhouse Hawksmoor and Buffalo’s Waxlight Bar à Vin showcased their uniqueness in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages category, while Leyenda—a Latin cocktail bar currently relocating—was highlighted in the Outstanding Bar section.

Best New Restaurant

For the Best New Restaurant category, NYC is well represented with Andrew Carmellini’s Café Carmellini in the NoMad Hotel, Corima, and Penny, a trendy raw bar from the Claud team, signaling a vibrant culinary scene on the rise.

Outstanding Bakery and Pastry Chef

In the realm of pastries, Brooklyn’s rising star Fan Fan Doughnuts, led by Fany Gerson, and Carissa’s the Bakery in Easthampton are contenders for the Outstanding Bakery award. Camari Mick from Raf's in Nolita also earned a spot in the Outstanding Pastry Chef category.

New Categories Introduced

This year, the awards introduced several new categories. Notably, Best New Bar saw the inclusion of Sip & Guzzle, and the Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service category highlighted talents like Christopher Bates of F.L.X. Table and Cassandra Felix of fine dining establishment Daniel. Furthermore, the Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service recognized Ignacio Jimenez of Superbueno.

Local Talent from New York and New Jersey

Locally, New York State's semifinalists for Best Chefs include an illustrious lineup from diverse backgrounds, such as Fariyal Abdullahi of Hav & Mar and Chris Cipollone of Francie, showcasing the state’s culinary diversity. In neighboring New Jersey, Dan Richer of Razza in Jersey City and David Viana from Lita in Aberdeen were acknowledged for their significant contributions.

What’s Next?

This marks the first of multiple announcements from the James Beard Foundation this year, with finalists set to be revealed on April 2 and winners to be celebrated on June 16 at a grand ceremony in Chicago's Lyric Opera House.

There’s a palpable excitement this year as NYC’s culinary creatives strive to regain their place on the national stage. After a disappointing two-year stretch where no NYC chefs received national medals and a concerning absence of awards in 2023—a first since 1991—hopes are high for a triumphant comeback.

Stay tuned for more developments as we countdown to the announcement of finalists!