James Beard Awards 2025 Chicago SEMI-Finalists

We’d like to extend a special congratulations to all the Chicago restaurants that were named semi-finalists for the James Beard Awards in 2025!

Outstanding Restaurant

• Galit

Outstanding Chef

• Lee Wolen, Boka

Emerging Chef

• Jacob Potashnick, Feld

Best New Restaurant

• Cariño

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

• Leigh Omilinsky, Daisies

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

• Elske

Outstanding Bar

• Kumiko

Best New Bar

• Bisous
• Truce

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Brian Jupiter and Aaron Torricelli, Pioneer Tavern Group (Frontier and Ina Mae Tavern)

• Thomas Kakalios, Asador Bastian

Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service

• Christopher Marty, Best Intentions

Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)

• Marcos Ascencio, Mariscos San Pedro
• Thai Dang, HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen
• Diana Davila, Mi Tocaya Antojería
• Bo Fowler, Bixi Beer
• Joe Frillman, Daisies
• Chris Jung and Erling Wu-Bower, Maxwells Trading
• Lamar Moore, ETC.
• Noah Sandoval, Oriole
• Sujan Sarkar, Indienne
• Zeeshan Shah and Yoshi Yamada, Superkhana International

Check out all the Chicago James Beard Award winners from past years.