Here are Oregon's 2025 James Beard semifinalists
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Allie Carl/Axios
The James Beard Awards announced their 2025 semifinalists Wednesday, with a dozen Oregon chefs, bars and restaurants in the running for the industry's premier recognition for tastemakers and trendsetters.
The latest: Oregon nabbed 12 spots on the semifinalists list — more than last year — with some surprises and repeats.
- The 35th anniversary of the Chef and Restaurant Awards marks an expansion into three new categories focused on beverages: best new bar, outstanding professional in beverage service, and outstanding professional in cocktail service.
Zoom in: Here are the categories where Oregon secured semifinalist spots:
Outstanding restaurant: Coquine (Portland)
Outstanding chef: Sarah Minnick of Lovely's Fifty Fifty (who's been a semifinalists thrice) and Gabriel Rucker of Le Pigeon (who won the same award in 2013)
Outstanding bakery: Jinju Patisserie (Portland)
Best chef — Northwest and Pacific:
- Joshua Dorcak of MÄS (Ashland)
- Isaiah Martinez of Yardy Rum Bar (Eugene)
- Thomas Pisha-Duffly of Gado Gado (Portland)
- Ryan Roadhouse of Nodoguro (Portland)
- Sarah Schafer of Humble Spirit (McMinnville)
- Kari Shaughnessy of Hayward (McMinnville)
- Timothy Wastell of Antica Terra (Amity)
Outstanding professional in beverage service:
- Joel Gunderson of Heavenly Creatures
Outstanding bar:
- Scotch Lodge (Portland)
What we're watching: If the last two years are any indication, we're more than well-equipped to sweep the whole thing yet again.
What's next: Finalists will be announced April 2, and winners will be celebrated at a Chicago ceremony June 16.