Dozens Of TX Restaurants, Chefs Named 2025 James Beard Semifinalists

TEXAS — Texas restaurants and chefs were named 2025 James Beard semifinalists, the organization announced Wednesday.

2025 is the 35th anniversary of the prestigious culinary awards, sometimes known as the “Oscars of food,” that recognize eateries and chefs who create exceptional food, food media content, and better food systems, the organization said. Awards also recognize a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.

This year in celebration of the pivotal anniversary, the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists are recognized across 25 categories, with an expanded focus on beverages, introducing three new categories: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.

Other categories include outstanding restaurateur, outstanding chef, outstanding restaurant, emerging chef, best new restaurant, outstanding bakery, outstanding pastry chef or baker, outstanding hospitality, outstanding wine and other beverages program, outstanding bar and best chef.

In Texas, the following restaurants and chefs were named semifinalists this year:

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Itai Ben Eli and Itamar Levy, Sof Hospitality Group (Hamsa, Badolina Bakery, and Doris Metropolitan), Houston, TX
• Sara Stayer and Martin Stayer, Nobie's, Toasted Coconut, and Nonno's, Houston, TX

Outstanding Chef

• Bristol-Joseph, Canje, Austin, TX
• David Kirkland and Ernest Servantes, Burnt Bean Co., Seguin, TX

Outstanding Restaurant

• ELEMI, El Paso, TX

Emerging Chef

• Suu Khin, Burmalicious, Houston, TX
• RJ Yoakum, Georgie, Dallas, TX

Best New Restaurant

• Ema, Houston, TX
• Lao’d Bar, Austin, TX
• Mābo, Dallas, TX

Outstanding Bakery

• Koffeteria, Houston, TX
• Starship Bagel, Lewisville, TX

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

• Mateo Herrera, La Puerta del Sol, El Paso, TX

Outstanding Hospitality

• Mixtli, San Antonio, TX

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

• March, Houston, TX
• Taconeta, El Paso, TX

Outstanding Bar

• Apothecary, Dallas, TX
• Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar, Austin, TX

Best New Bar

• Bar Colette, Dallas, TX

Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service

• Andres Blanco, Le Jardinier, Houston, TX
• Arjav Ezekiel, Birdie's, Austin, TX

Best Chef: Texas

• Ope Amosu, ChòpnBlọk, Houston, TX
• Takéhiro Asazu and Masazumi Saio, Uroko, Austin, TX
• Thomas Bille, Belly of the Beast, Spring, TX
• Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó, Houston, TX
• Leo Davila, Stixs & Stone, San Antonio, TX
• Evelyn Garcia, Jūn, Houston, TX
• Alexandra Gates, Cochineal, Marfa, TX
• Fasicka Hicks and Patrick Hicks, Smoke'N Ash BBQ, Arlington, TX
• Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin, Best Quality Daughter, San Antonio, TX
• Grey Hwang, Shiro Japanese Bistro, San Antonio, TX
• Evan LeRoy, LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, Austin, TX
• Beatriz Martines, Xalisko, The Woodlands, TX
• Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre, San Antonio, TX
• Anais Paniagua and Iris Rojas, Doña Maria, Irving, TX
• John Ramos and Jonathan Reyes, Chika, San Antonio, TX
• Regino Rojas, Purépecha, Dallas, TX
• Alex Sarmiento and Brenda Sarmiento, El Pastor Es Mi Señor, San Antonio, TX
• Michael Anthony Serva, Bordo, Marfa, TX
• David Skinner, Ishtia, Kemah, TX
• Eugenio Uribe, Le Rêve, Brownsville, TX

Nominees will be announced on April 2, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.