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A Miami chef and bar were named James Beard Award finalists Wednesday for the foundation's 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards.

Why it matters: The Beards are like the Oscars of the bar and restaurant world, and even if you don't win, making the final cut is a big achievement.

This year, Miami earned six semifinalist nominations.

What's new: Three new categories center around cocktails and other beverages: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.

Our finalists: ViceVersa, a downtown Italian Aperitivo bar from the team behind the now-closed Jaguar Sun, is a finalist for Best New Bar.

Nando Chang of Itamae AO in Midtown was named a finalist in the Best Chef: South category.

Flashback: Last year, Chang's sister, Valerie Chang of Maty's, another Midtown favorite, won in the same category.

What's next: The winners will be celebrated at a star-studded ceremony in Chicago on June 16.

Here are the 2025 James Beard Award finalists for Miami

The Beards are like the Oscars of the bar and restaurant world.

Illustration of a trophy wearing a chef's hat

A Miami chef and bar were named James Beard Award finalists Wednesday for the foundation&#x27;s 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards.Why it matters: The Beards are like the Oscars of the bar and restaurant world, and even if you don&#x27;t win, making the final cut is a big achievement.<ul><li>This year, Miami earned <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="six semifinalist nominations" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/01/22/2025-james-beard-miami-nominations" data-vars-content-id="610f23de-eaa0-4c66-93d6-07c7130402e8" data-vars-headline="Here are the 2025 James Beard Award finalists for Miami" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/miami/2025/01/22/2025-james-beard-miami-nominations" target="_self">six semifinalist nominations</a>.</li></ul>

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