Here are Dallas' 2025 James Beard Award finalists

Why it matters: Being named a finalist for an award from the James Beard Foundation is an honor in the culinary industry, whether you win or not.

• The Dallas-area culinary scene has received more James Beard recognition in the past few years. The region had three finalists last year though none won.

Zoom in: Café Momentum founder Chad Houser will receive $20,000 for the humanitarian award, which recognizes organizations in the culinary world that work to improve society.

• Nonprofit restaurant Café Momentum employs at-risk teens, many of whom have been in the criminal justice system.
• The Dallas-based nonprofit has opened restaurants in Atlanta and Pittsburgh and plans to open a fourth in Denver.

Zoom out: Dallas has four national finalists, the most of any Texas city. Houston has two finalists in the national categories, San Antonio has one and Austin has one.

• The awards created a best chef in Texas category in 2019.

Here are the Dallas-area finalists:

🧑‍🍳 Emerging chef: RJ Yoakum at Georgie is one of five chefs nationwide named as someone to watch.

🥢 Best new restaurant: Mābo, an eight-seat omakase restaurant in Preston Hollow, continues to catch national attention for its yakitori and sushi.

🥯 Outstanding bakery: Starship Bagel, with locations in Dallas and Lewisville, is showing that New York City isn't the only place to get a bagel.

🍸 Best new bar: Bar Colette, a cozy West Village cocktail joint, will compete with four other bars for the newest James Beard award.

⭐️ Best chef in Texas: Regino Rojas is up for the regional chef award for Purépecha, the tasting menu dining experience at Revolver Taco Lounge.

What's next: The winners will be announced June 16 in Chicago.