On Monday, June 16th, 2025, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards were announced. Established 35 years ago, these awards represent the pinnacle of achievement for many in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
This year, the James Beard Foundation introduced the Impact Award–a new achievement award that recognizes those who work to create a “more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable restaurant industry and food system for producers, workers, and consumers alike.”
The Foundation is also working on inclusivity by recognizing the growing influence of beverages and bars. Three new categories in this area include the Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, and Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service.
There was a theme that ran through the awards ceremony: the role immigrants play in America’s cuisine. Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, said, “America’s food scene has never been more dynamic, more diverse and exciting, and in large part we owe that dynamism, that vibrancy, to the immigrant communities that lead and underpin this industry in every way. We get to taste the world because of them.”
The Impact Award
Five individuals received the Impact Award:
- Anthony Edwards Jr.: Co-founder of EatOkra, an online platform expanding opportunities for Black-owned restaurants by connecting them with customers.
- Angie Craig, U.S. representative from Minnesota and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Agriculture, was recognized for her work to protect SNAP benefits.
- Seanicaa Edwards Herron: Founder and executive director of Freedmen Heirs Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping black farmers succeed.
- Dune Lankard: President and founder of Native Conservancy, a trust that focuses on preserving Native Peoples’ culture and habitat. His efforts have led to over a million acres of protected coastline in Alaska. He also advocates for sustainable livelihoods in Alaska Native communities and self-determination within the food system.
- Brandon Edwin Chrostowski: CEO of EDWINS Leadership & Restaurant Institute, which provides a comprehensive program that helps rebuild the lives of formerly incarcerated individuals. The program includes vocational training, housing, and childcare.
Other Achievement awards include Humanitarian of the Year and Lifetime Achievement. This year’s Lifetime Achievement award went to author and historian Toni Tipton-Martin, who has written extensively about Black food traditions in her books, including The Jemima Code, Jubilee, and A Taste of Heritage.
Chad Houser won the Humanitarian Award for his work at Café Momentum. The staff at this Dallas restaurant consists of young people who have been affected by the juvenile justice system.
The Six Major National Awards
If you recall, New York City was largely shut out of the major national categories last year and the year before, with 2023 marking the first time the Big Apple received no national awards. This year, they made up for it.
- Outstanding Chef: Jungsik Yim – The owner and chef of the 3-Michelin-starred NYC restaurant, Jungsik, took home the prestigious Outstanding Chef award after recently becoming the first Korean restaurant in the U.S. to earn three Michelin stars.
- Outstanding Hospitality: The two-Michelin-starred Atomix, a fine-dining Korean restaurant in NYC, is renowned for its genuine service and hospitality, paying meticulous attention to every detail.
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr, a winning duo from NYC, have impressed diners for years. Their creations include Frenchette, a well-known Tribeca neighborhood eatery; Le Rock, the destination hotspot in Rockefeller Center; and the recently revived Le Veau d’Or.
- Outstanding Restaurant: Boulder’s Michelin-starred Frasca Food and Wine specializes in Northern Italian cuisine. Bobby Stuckey, a master sommelier and partner at the restaurant, shared this in his acceptance speech, “Our industry is frickin’ beautiful. We are the industry—if you are new to this country and you don’t speak the language, the hospitality industry is here for you. If you’re a single parent and you need a flexible schedule, we’re here for you. If you need a second chance because maybe you were incarcerated or just made some mistakes, hospitality is here for you, and I love that the James Beard Foundation gives this beautiful industry this night.”
- Best New Restaurant: Bucheron in Minneapolis received national recognition for its exceptional French-American cuisine, featuring Parisian bistro-inspired dishes. Its unique culinary approach blends Midwestern flavors and ingredients with classic French techniques, emphasizing seasonal ingredients from local ranchers and farmers.
- Outstanding Bakery: JinJu Patisserie in Portland, Oregon, is recognized for its use of locally sourced ingredients, high-quality atmosphere, and the details that go into their creations. A few of the standouts include intricately crafted chocolates and hyper-laminated croissants.
Beverage Accolades
- Best New Bar: Identidad Cocktail Bar in San Juan, PR
- Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Arjav Ezekiel of Birdie’s in Austin
- Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: Ignacio “Nacho” Jimenez, from Superbueno in NYC
Congratulations to all those who have been awarded for their efforts in pursuing excellence. See the complete list of 2025 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards.
