The James Beard Foundation announced the nominees for its 2025 awards today, and 10 New York City names made the cut.
In the top categories, Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr of Frenchette, Le Veau d’Or and Le Rock are up for the outstanding restaurateur award. Chef Jungsik Yim, who recently earned a third Michelin star for his namesake Tribeca Korean restaurant Jungsik, is up for the outstanding chef award. Penny in the East Village, which opened last March from the Claud team, is a nominee for the best new restaurant award. And Atomix in NoMad is a finalist for the outstanding hospitality honor.
In the down-ballot awards, sommelier Cassandra Felix from Daniel Boulud’s Daniel is in the running for outstanding professional in beverage service, and Ignacio “Nacho” Jimenez from Superbueno in the East Village is a finalists for the outstanding professional in cocktail service.
The James Beard awards also include region-specific chef accolades, including a category specific to New York state. For that award, the New York City finalists are Nasim Alikhani of Sofreh, Eiji Ichimura of Sushi Ichimura, Atsushi Kono of Kono and Vijay Kumar of Semma. Ryan Fernandez of Southern Junction Barbecue in Buffalo is the only non-city name up for the award.
The awards are akin to the Oscars of the restaurant world, and being nominated often boosts business at establishments. Winners will be awarded at a ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in June.
The finalists were narrowed down from a broader semifinalist list that was released in January. Dozens of New York names made that cut.
This story will be updated.
