San Antonio chef and restaurant named 2025 James Beard finalists

The latest: Oliva, who co-owns Leche de Tigre with his two brothers, is a finalist for Best Chef in Texas.

• Mixtli, an innovative restaurant that transports diners through different regions of Mexico, was announced as a finalist for Outstanding Hospitality.

Zoom in: Mixtli became San Antonio's first Michelin-starred restaurant in November. Its sommelier, Hailey Pruitt, and bar director Lauren Beckman also won the Michelin Outstanding Service Award.

• Leche de Tigre opened in February 2023 and had garnered plenty of local and national acclaim. It was one of 57 Texas restaurants "recommended" by Michelin.

What they're saying: Oliva tells Axios that being a finalist feels surreal.

• "What means the most to me is representing San Antonio on this stage," he says. "This city's food, culture and community have shaped me as a chef."

In 2019, James Beard restructured the Best Chef category, giving Texas its own region. Here are the chefs representing that group with Oliva.

• Thomas Bille, Belly of the Beast (Spring)
• Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó (Houston)
• Regino Rojas, Purépecha (Dallas)
• Michael Anthony Serva, Bordo (Marfa)

What's next: The winners will be revealed at a gala in Chicago on June 16.