4 SF restaurants named finalists for 2025 James Beard Awards

• More than a dozen Bay Area establishments were named semifinalists in January.

Here are our finalists:

Outstanding Restaurateur: Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, chef-owners of The Anchovy Bar, The Progress and State Bird Provisions (San Francisco)

Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Jacob Brown, beverage director at New American restaurant Lazy Bear in the Mission

Best Chef (California region):

• Richard Lee of open wood fire restaurant Saison in SoMa
• Kosuke Tada of contemporary French bistro Mijoté in the Mission

What's next: Winners will be announced at a ceremony in Chicago on June 16.

The big picture: The Bay Area has struggled to land wins at the James Beard Awards in recent years.

• San Francisco hasn't brought home a trophy since 2022 when Brandon Jew of Mister Jiu's won the best chef California category.
• Two restaurants made it to the final round last year.