James Beard Award D.C. winner: Causa and Amazonia

Zoom in: Since opening in Blagden Alley in 2022, the Peruvian tasting counter and pisco bar has drawn loyal fans. It was previously a finalist for the Beard's "Best New Restaurant" award in 2023, and has also earned a Michelin star.

Catch up quick: D.C. chefs, restaurants and hospitality groups were strongly featured among the 2025 semifinalists, with nearly 20 nominees across ten categories. Finalists included:

• Best New Restaurant — Mita
• Outstanding Restaurateur — Scott Drewno and Danny Lee, The Fried Rice Collective (Anju, Chiko, and I Egg You)
• Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic — Henji Cheung, Queen's English
• Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker — Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit

Flashback: D.C. swept last year's Beard Awards, with major wins in national categories including Albi's Michael Rafidi for Outstanding Chef, and Rising Star winner Masako Morishita of Perry's.

Zoom out: The Beards are more than about restaurants. Local cookbook authors Paola Velez ("Bodega Bakes") and WaPo's Joe Yonan ("Mastering the Art of Plant-Based Cooking") were among the winners of Saturday's James Beard Media Awards.

• The foundation added Impact Awards this year, which recognize change-makers in the food industry. Seanicaa Edwards Herron, founder and executive director of D.C.-area-based Freedmen Heirs Foundation, is one of the honorees for her work with Black farms.