Two Seattle restaurants named James Beard finalists
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Two Seattle restaurants have made the short list for the 2025 James Beard Awards, the culinary industry's highest honors.
The big picture: Seattle chefs and restaurants have been snubbed in the awards the past three years — but the list of finalists released Wednesday gives the Emerald City a shot at redemption.
Zoom in: Atoma, the Wallingford restaurant that's been a darling of national critics over the past year, is nominated for best new restaurant, a national category.
- Meanwhile, Archipelago — a fine dining spot in Hillman City that combines Northwest and Filipino flavors — is competing against four other U.S. restaurants for best hospitality.
- Elsewhere in Washington, Jay Blackinton of Houlme on Orcas Island is nominated for best chef Northwest and Pacific, a regional category that covers Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and Alaska.
Yes, but: About a dozen other restaurants and culinary professionals from Washington failed to snag a nomination, after previously being named semifinalists.
- Among those not making the short list were Quynh-Vy Pham and Yenvy Pham, who run The Boat, Phở Bắc Súp Shop and Phởcific Standard Time.
- The sibling owners have been semifinalists for three consecutive years in the outstanding restaurateur category.
The fine print: Janet Becerra of Pancita and Logan Cox of Homer were axed from the best chef Northwest and Pacific category.
- So was Aisha Ibrahim, the executive chef of Canlis (who Seattle Met reported is leaving the fine dining institution this month).
- Saint Bread, meanwhile, was edged out in the race for best bakery, and none of Seattle's semifinalists in the bar and beverage service categories advanced.
What we're watching: Whether Seattle chefs come home empty-handed yet again when the winners are announced June 16.