Finalists to be announced April 2, winners June 16. Full list here: https://www.eater.com/24349129/james-beard-awards-2025-semifinalists-chefs-restaurants-jbfa

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

• Tavel 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, Texas
• 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, Texas
• 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