Jan 23, 2025 - Food and Drink

James Beard names 5 Nashville semifinalists for 2025 awards

Adam Tamburin

A selection of high-end meals arranged in a cluster of plates on a table. — Some of the food at Bad Idea in East Nashville. Photo: Victoria Quirk/Courtesy of Bad Idea

Restaurants that add comfort and texture to life in Nashville were honored on a national stage this week as James Beard Award semifinalists.

Why it matters: This is the culinary Oscars. The announcement put a spotlight on three Nashville chefs, a new restaurant and one of the most celebrated restaurant groups in town.

Zoom in: Strategic Hospitality — the force behind Kisser, Locust, Bastion, The Patterson House and other locally beloved spots — was recognized in a national category.

Brothers Max and Benjamin Goldberg and chef Josh Habiger, who run the restaurant group, are up for outstanding restaurateur.

Bad Idea, a wine bar that serves Lao-inspired cuisine in East Nashville, is a semifinalist in the national best new restaurant category.

State of plate: Chefs at three A+ Nashville eateries made the shortlist for best chef of the Southeast.

Julio Hernandez, who used pandemic stimulus checks to start the celebrated Maíz de la Vida, is one of the honorees.
Jake Howell of the East Nashville restaurant Peninsula is back after making the shortlist in 2022.
Dung "Junior" Vo is up for his irresistibly sumptuous dishes at Noko.

What's next: The James Beard Foundation will whittle this list to nominees on April 2.

Winners will be announced during a big ceremony June 16 in Chicago.

Add Axios on Google

James Beard names 5 Nashville semifinalists for 2025 awards

More Nashville stories