Buckhead's Aria named James Beard Awards 2025 finalist

• A win or even a finalist nod can rev up reservations, open new doors and raise a chef's profile.

Zoom in: Aria was the only one of Atlanta's semifinalists including Rod Lassiter and Parnass Savang of Talat Market and Bruce Logue of BoccaLupo to make the next round.

Fun fact: The nod is a proper send-off for Aria chef Gerry Klaskala, who's retiring after leading the modern American restaurant for 25 years.

• Prior to Aria, Klaskala opened Canoe and The Buckhead Diner for the Buckhead Life Restaurant Group.

Caveat: Chad Houser of Café Momentum, a nonprofit that teaches at-risk youth how to build a career in the culinary industry, will be honored.

• In March, the Dallas-based organization opened a brick-and-mortar location in Downtown Atlanta.

How it works: Food critics, past winners and industry insiders select each year's champs.

Catch up quick: Past notable Atlanta winners include Anne Quatrano (Bacchanalia), Linton Hopkins (Restaurant Eugene), Steven Satterfield (Miller Union), Terry Koval (The Deer and The Dove) and Busy Bee Café.

What's next: Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Chicago on June 16.