Jan 22, 2025 - News

Here are the 2025 Arizona James Beard semifinalists

Gigi Sukin

Chilte phoenix — From left, the Santa Quesadilla, green chorizo vampiro and Mole de la Casa, with a pair of green chile margaritas. Photo: Jeremy Duda/Axios

The James Beard Awards revealed their 2025 semifinalists on Wednesday, with over a dozen Arizona chefs, bars and restaurants in the running.

Why it matters: The Beards are among the highest honors in hospitality and winning can catapult a chef's career or restaurant's reputation to new heights.

Zoom in: Here are Arizona's semifinalists:

Emerging chef: Lawrence "LT" Smith, Chilte, (Phoenix)
Best new restaurant: Santo Arcadia, (Phoenix)
Outstanding pastry chef or baker:

Antonia Kane, COURSE (Scottsdale)
Crystal Kass, Valentine (Phoenix)

Outstanding bakery: Patisserie Jacqui, (Bisbee)
Outstanding hospitality: Kai, (Gila River Indian Community)
Best chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)

Jose Contreras, Amelia's Mexican Kitchen, (Tucson)
Donald Hawk, Valentine, (Phoenix)
Stephen Jones, The Larder & The Delta, (Phoenix)
Bernie Kantak, Beginners Luck, (Scottsdale)
Yotaka Martin, Lom Wong, (Phoenix)
Cory Oppold, COURSE, (Scottsdale)

What's next: Finalists will be announced April 12, and winners will be celebrated at a Chicago ceremony on June 16.

What's new: The awards expanded into three new beverage-related categories this year, with Phoenix spots recognized in each of them:

Best new bar: Kid Sister (Phoenix)
Outstanding professional in cocktail service: Jax Donahue, Carry On (Phoenix)
Outstanding bar: Little Rituals (Phoenix)

Flashback: Last year, Valentine's Crystal Kass was a finalist in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category and Arizona chef Rene Andrade won Best Chef Southwest.

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Here are the 2025 Arizona James Beard semifinalists

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