Latest news with #BeardAwards
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Finalists for 2025 James Beard Awards Include 5 L.A. Restaurants and Chefs
The finalists for the annual James Beard Awards were announced April 2. Named after the renowned American chef, James Beard, this foundation has been around since 1990. The James Beard Foundation presents awards annually honoring excellence in culinary arts, hospitality and Beard Awards are the nation's most prestigious food and beverage awards. The Foundation has honored numerous excellent chefs over the years such as Wolfgang Puck, Rick Bayless and many Angeles made a mark on the semifinalist list, released in January. Los Angeles businesses and professionals received nominations in 12 categories. The narrowed down finalists, however, still have significant L.A. representation. Daniel Castillo, Heritage Barbecue, San Juan Capistrano, CaliforniaJon Yao, Kato, Los Angeles, California Gusto Bread, Long Beach, California Strong Water, Anaheim, California Tobin Shea, Redbird, Los Angeles, California L.A. is known for its diverse and eclectic food scene. The city has always been revered as a culinary powerhouse and this year's representation in the list of finalists shows its growing influence on the country's culinary scene. However, the James Beard Foundation has not gone without controversy. In 2020, staff members of the foundation sent a letter requesting better pay and a greater emphasis on diversity and equity within the company and leadership team. The leaked letter, that can be found here, led to the 2020 and 2021 awards being Foundation addressed the issue by conducting an internal review and making the voting process more inclusive and also altering the Best Chef category to operate regionally allowing for a more diverse range of talent to be honored. The awards are introducing a new award this year called the 2025 Impact Award. This award honors organizations dedicated to a 'more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable restaurant industry and food system,' according to the JBF website. The 2025 James Beard Awards will be presented June 16 and held at the Lyric Opera House of Chicago.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bardea's Antimo DiMeo doesn't make finalist cut for James Beard's coveted Best Chef award
Antimo DiMeo, chef and co-owner of Wilmington's Bardea Food & Drink, was not among the five finalists announced Wednesday, April 2, for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic region award by the James Beard Foundation. DiMeo had been among the 20 semifinalists for the award revealed in January ― his second Best Chef nomination after getting a nod in the same category in 2022. In 2019, Bardea also was recognized by the Beard Foundation as one of the country's best new restaurants. Subscribe to the Delaware Eats newsletter Fenwick Island chef/restaurant owner Matthew Kern became the first and only Delaware chef to named a finalist for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic region last year. The five finalists for this year's Mid-Atlantic award on Wednesday: Henji Cheung, Queen's English, Washington, D.C. Carlos Delgado, Causa and Amazonia, Washington, D.C. Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia Dan Richer, Razza, Jersey City, N,J, Amanda Shulman, Her Place Supper Club, Philadelphia The winner will be named at the 35th annual James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Beard Awards recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity, community and sustainability, according to its mission. Although he didn't make the James Beard finalist cut, DiMeo was already a winner this year when Bardea Food & Drink was named in February as one of the best 44 restaurants in America, according to USA TODAY's 2025 Restaurant of the Year list. Even though he won't be headed to Chicago this spring as a finalist, it's still a busy time for DiMeo and fellow Bardea co-owner Scott Stein. Along with the already established Bardea Food & Drink, Bardea Steak and The Garden, they recently opened Casa Nonna in the food hall, a sit-down restaurant that serves homespun Italian dishes in a nod to the ones DiMeo's grandmother would make. The February opening came as Bardea Restaurant Group took over food hall operations from its original operator, Wilmington-based real estate developers Buccini Pollin Group. Also at new Bardea-led food stalls have appeared in recent weeks. They include the upscale casual Mediterranean eatery named Sumac serving salads, pitas and bowls featuring grilled or spicy honey chicken, tuna, falafel and more. Also, a cafe called Bean by Bardea offering croissants, pastries, cookies, cakes, brownies, cupcakes, doughnuts and other sweets. They join Bardea's already established spots Pizzeria Bardea and Taqueria el Chingon. ALREADY A WINNER Downtown Wilmington restaurant named one of best in US HOPPIN' 10 restaurants to go for Easter brunch in Delaware Next up for Bardea will be Roost Pub & Kitchen, slated to open later this spring at the former Stitch House Brewing (829 N. Market St.) Stein has said diners should expect a menu of "elevated comfort foods" such as flatbreads, chicken tenders, sandwiches, burgers, salads, nachos and wings. Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at rcormier@ or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier). This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: James Beard Award finalists named; Delaware shut out this year
