02-04-2025
Here are Dallas' 2025 James Beard Award finalists
Five Dallas-Fort Worth chefs, bars and restaurants are finalists for a prestigious James Beard award.
Why it matters: Being named a finalist for an award from the James Beard Foundation is an honor in the culinary industry, whether you win or not.
The Dallas-area culinary scene has received more James Beard recognition in the past few years. The region had three finalists last year though none won.
Zoom in: Café Momentum founder Chad Houser will receive $20,000 for the humanitarian award, which recognizes organizations in the culinary world that work to improve society.
Nonprofit restaurant Café Momentum employs at-risk teens, many of whom have been in the criminal justice system.
The Dallas-based nonprofit has opened restaurants in Atlanta and Pittsburgh and plans to open a fourth in Denver.
Zoom out: Dallas has four national finalists, the most of any Texas city. Houston has two finalists in the national categories, San Antonio has one and Austin has one.
The awards created a best chef in Texas category in 2019.
Here are the Dallas-area finalists:
🧑🍳 Emerging chef: RJ Yoakum at Georgie is one of five chefs nationwide named as someone to watch.
🥢 Best new restaurant: Mābo, an eight-seat omakase restaurant in Preston Hollow, continues to catch national attention for its yakitori and sushi.
🥯 Outstanding bakery: Starship Bagel, with locations in Dallas and Lewisville, is showing that New York City isn't the only place to get a bagel.
🍸 Best new bar: Bar Colette, a cozy West Village cocktail joint, will compete with four other bars for the newest James Beard award.
⭐️ Best chef in Texas: Regino Rojas is up for the regional chef award for Purépecha, the tasting menu dining experience at Revolver Taco Lounge.
