Five Twin Cities restaurants, chefs named as James Beard Award finalists
When the semifinalists were announced in January, 11 Minnesota restaurants were featured, including six that were up for national awards. Wednesday's announcement revealed that two of those are finalists, and Minnesota-based chefs grabbed three of the five nominations for Best Chef: Midwest.
Bûcheron in Minneapolis' Kingfield neighborhood is a finalist for Best New Restaurant, a category that also included Vinai among its semifinalists.
The category recognizes restaurants that opened between Oct. 1, 2023 and Sept. 30, 2024, and demonstrate "excellence in cuisine" and that are "likely to make a significant impact for years to come."
Additionally, Bar Brava in Minneapolis has been nominated for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. The award is given to a restaurant "that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the pairing of wine and other beverages with food."For Best Chef: Midwest — a category that considers restaurants in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin — three Twin Cities restaurants are among the five total nominees. Shigeyuki Furukawa of Kado no Mise, Diane Moua of Diane's Place, and Karyn Tomlinson of Myriel all earned nominations.
Tomlinson was a finalist for Best Chef: Midwest in 2023 and 2024 for her St. Paul restaurant, as well as being a semifinalist in 2019 for the now-closed Corner Table. She was also named one of Food & Wine magazine's best new chefs in 2024.
In addition to the restaurant recognitions, the James Beard Awards have added Impact Awards in 2025, honoring individuals making an impact on the food world by pushing for standards to create a more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable restaurant industry and food system. Among the five honorees is Rep. Angie Craig, who serves as Minority Leader for the House Committee on Agriculture.
The foundation notes her family roots in farming, adding, "She led efforts in the House to pass the Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act, legislation that tapped the power of family farmers to lower costs for Americans."
The winners will be unveiled on June 16 during a ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
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