The 2025 James Beard Award winners have just been announced, and the culinary world is buzzing with excitement! This year’s ceremony, held on June 16, 2025, at Chicago’s Lyric Opera House, honored chefs, restaurateurs, and beverage professionals who’ve pushed the boundaries of food and hospitality. From New York to Portland, the Beard Award winners represent the heart and soul of America’s diverse dining scene. Let’s dive into the latest highlights and celebrate the talent shaping our food culture.
Who Are the 2025 Beard Award Winners?
This year’s Beard Award winners showcase a vibrant mix of innovation and tradition. Jungsik Yim of Jungsik in New York City took home the Outstanding Chef award, earning praise for his modern Korean cuisine. Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado, won Outstanding Restaurant, cementing its status as a fine-dining gem. Portland’s JinJu Patisserie snagged the Outstanding Bakery award for its stunning croissants and bonbons, while Kumiko, a Chicago Japanese bar, won Outstanding Bar for its precise, soulful hospitality.
New categories reflecting the growing influence of beverage culture debuted in 2025. These included Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, highlighting the industry’s evolving landscape. Toni Tipton-Martin, a journalist and historian, received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her work documenting African American foodways, while Chad Houser of Cafe Momentum was named Humanitarian of the Year.
Regional Stars Among Beard Award Winners
The 2025 Beard Award winners span the U.S., with regional chefs stealing the spotlight. Carlos Delgado of Causa and Amazonia in Washington, D.C., won Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, waving a Peruvian flag with pride. Jon Yao of Kato in Los Angeles claimed Best Chef: California, a nod to his Michelin-starred tasting menu. In the Midwest, Karyn Tomlinson of Myriel in Minnesota earned Best Chef: Midwest, while Noah Sandoval of Chicago’s Oriole took Best Chef: Great Lakes.
Other standout regional winners include Timothy Wastell, an Amity, Oregon, chef honored for the Northwest and Pacific region, and Cindy Wolf of Charleston in Baltimore, whose wine program finally earned her a long-awaited Beard Award. Sadly, cities like Seattle, Atlanta, and San Diego saw no winners despite strong finalists, underscoring the fierce competition.
| Category | Winner | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Outstanding Chef | Jungsik Yim, Jungsik | New York, NY |
| Outstanding Restaurant | Frasca Food and Wine | Boulder, CO |
| Outstanding Bakery | JinJu Patisserie | Portland, OR |
| Outstanding Bar | Kumiko, Julia Momosé | Chicago, IL |
| Best New Restaurant | Bucheron | Minneapolis, MN |
Themes and Takeaways from the 2025 Awards
The 2025 ceremony carried a powerful theme: the vital role of immigrants in the restaurant industry. Winners like Julia Momosé of Kumiko spoke passionately about how diversity fuels culinary creativity. Against a backdrop of national debates on immigration, the Beard Award winners used their platform to celebrate inclusivity and resilience.
Chicago, hosting the awards since 2015, notched two wins with Kumiko and Oriole, up from one in 2024. The city’s food scene shone brightly, with Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker touting its diversity. New York City also flexed its culinary muscle, claiming three major awards: Outstanding Chef, Outstanding Hospitality (Atomix), and Outstanding Restaurateur (Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr of Frenchette and Le Veau d’Or).
Why the Beard Awards Matter
Often called the “Oscars of the food world,” the James Beard Awards elevate restaurants and chefs to national fame. Winning can boost business, attract talent, and spark tourism. For the 2025 Beard Award winners, this recognition validates years of hard work and inspires the next generation of culinary stars. The awards also reflect changing tastes, with new categories and a focus on diversity signaling where the industry is headed.
The ceremony wasn’t without challenges. The foundation has faced scrutiny in recent years over issues like inclusivity and allegations of misconduct among nominees. In 2025, they continued efforts to diversify winners and categories, though some regions felt overlooked.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for the Winners?
The 2025 Beard Award winners are poised to shape the future of dining. Expect Jungsik Yim to expand his influence, perhaps with new ventures. JinJu Patisserie’s win will likely draw crowds to Portland, while Kumiko’s bar program sets a new standard for hospitality. As these winners ride the wave of their success, food lovers have plenty to explore.
Want to taste the magic of the 2025 Beard Award winners? Book a table at Frasca Food and Wine, sip a cocktail at Kumiko, or grab a croissant at JinJu Patisserie. Share your favorite dining experiences in the comments below, and let’s keep celebrating the art of food!