Among the semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards — the 35th anniversary of the awards — Southern California restaurants and chefs did well.
We saw several familiar names — Kato, Holbox, République, Gusto Bread, Evil Cooks — as well as a few new ones (new to the Beard Foundation, that is) including Thunderbolt, Etra, Heritage Barbeque, and Tobin Shea of Redbird.
Last year, Rashida Holmes was nominated for Outstanding Chef. This year, Bridgetown Roti, her Caribbean pop-up-turned-brick-and-mortar, gets a nod for Best New Restaurant.
In 2024, Barra Santos in Cypress Park was nominated for Best New Restaurant. In 2025, chef Melissa López gets a nom for Best Chef: California.
Danielle Duran-Zecca and Alessandro Zecca of Highland Park's Amiga Amore were named in the Emerging Chef category. This time around, Duran-Zecca is a contender for Best Chef: California.
Once again, Gusto Bread in Long Beach is a semi-finalist for Outstanding Bakery and Nicole Rucker of Fat + Flour are both nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.
Nautically-themed Strong Water in Anaheim is also a repeat semifinalist for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program.
For the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards, the James Beard Foundation has added three new categories focusing on beverages: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
You can see the full list of semifinalists here.
Outstanding Restaurateur
Daisy Ryan and Greg Ryan, Companion Hospitality (Bell's, Bar Le Cote, Priedite BBQ, and others), Los Alamos, CA
The famous uni (sea urchin) served in its own shell at Holbox in Mercado La Paloma. Photo by Elina Shatkin.
Outstanding Chef
Gilberto Cetina, Holbox, Los Angeles, CA
Outstanding Restaurant
Pasjoli, Santa Monica, CA
Emerging Chef
Jesus "Chuy" Cervantes, Damian, Los Angeles, CA
Best New Restaurant
Bridgetown Roti, Los Angeles, CA
Outstanding Bakery
Gusto Bread, Long Beach, CA
The apple pie at Fat + Flour in Culver City. Photo by Nicole Rucker.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Nicole Rucker, Fat + Flour, Los Angeles, CA
Outstanding Hospitality
République, Los Angeles, CA
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Strong Water, Anaheim, CA
Outstanding Bar
Thunderbolt, Los Angeles, CA
Best New Bar
Roma Norte, San Diego, CA
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
no Southern California nominee
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
Tobin Shea, Redbird, Los Angeles, CA
Chef Daniel Castillo mans the grill at Heritage Barbeque.Photo by Katarina Frederick.
Best Chef: California
- Roberto Alcocer, Valle, Oceanside, CA
- Evan Algorri, Etra, Los Angeles, CA
- Daniel Castillo, Heritage Barbeque, San Juan Capistrano, CA
- Danielle Duran Zecca, Amiga Amore, Los Angeles, CA
- Elvia Garcia and Alex Garcia, Evil Cooks, Los Angeles, CA
- Melissa López, Barra Santos, Los Angeles, CA
- Tara Monsod, ANIMAE, San Diego, CA
- Charles Namba, Camélia, Los Angeles, CA
- Kwang Uh, Baroo, Los Angeles, CA
- Jon Yao, Kato, Los Angeles, CA