Jose Contreras has always dreamed of having his own restaurant, but he says he never imagined something like this.

Established in 1990, the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards are often referred to as the Oscars of the culinary universe. Being nominated is potentially a career-altering honor. Only one Idaho chef has won a James Beard Award: Kris Komori, co-owner of Kin in downtown Boise.

A Boulder restaurant and a Boulder chef were named semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards.

NEW YORK, NY – The James Beard Awards have unveiled their list of semifinalists for 2025, and a remarkable 10 Indian Americans in the culinary world have been recognized. The semifinalists across various categories, underscoring the significant contributions of Indian-American chefs in reshaping dining experiences across the U.S.:

A Cedar Rapids chef is a semifinalist for a very prestigious James Beard Award.Andy Schumacher, Chef and Co-owner of Cobble Hill, was just named a 2025 semifina

A bakery, two bars and several Bozeman area chefs were named semifinalists for the James Beard Awards on Wednesday.

Five local chefs have been named semifinalists for the prestigious James Beard Awards, often referred to as the Oscars of the culinary world.

Chef Paolo Dungca, of Filipino restaurant and cafe Hiraya is a semifinalist for the Emerging Chef award, which, according to the foundation, highlights a chef who "displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come."

Three local names have been named as 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists. Two are restaurateurs and the third owns a popular cocktail bar in Over-the-Rhine. Jordan Anthony-Brown, chef-owner of The Aperture, is a semifinalist in the Emerging Chef category.

Simon's in Des Moines and chef Andy Schumacher of Cobble Hill in Cedar Rapids were both named to James Beard semifinalist lists.

Three Northwest Arkansas chefs have been named semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards in the Best Chef: South category.