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It’s Wednesday, January 22, and the awards committee that comprises the James Beard Foundation has revealed its list of names under consideration for semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards ceremony. In many ways it is clear: it’s San Antonio’s year to shine.
While Austin is recognized in six categories, seven San Antonio restaurants and chefs receive recognition — Mixtli is a semifinalist for Outstanding Hospitality, and six San Antonio chefs are named in the Best Chef: Texas category. Notable restaurants from El Paso, Brownsville, Marfa, and Seguin have also made a great showing, which feels like a giant statement from the awards and wider recognition for broader areas of Texas.
Overall, it seems like we’re in for a year of big changes at the James Beard Foundation Awards. Here are the Austin-area and West Texas restaurants and chefs who made the cut:
Outstanding Chef: Tavel Bristol-Joseph of Canje in Austin, and David Kirkland and Ernest Servantes of Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin
Best New Restaurant: Lao’d Bar in Austin
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Arjav Ezekiel of Birdie’s in Austin
Outstanding Bar: Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar in Austin
Outstanding Hospitality: Mixtli in San Antonio
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Mateo Herrera of La Puerta del Sol in El Paso
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: Taconeta in El Paso
Outstanding Restaurant: Elemi in El Paso
Best Chef: Texas:
- Takéhiro Asazu and Masazumi Saio of Uroko in Austin
- Evan LeRoy of LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue in Austin
- Leo Davila of Stixs & Stone in San Antonio
- Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin of Best Quality Daughter in San Antonio
- Grey Hwang of Shiro Japanese Bistro in San Antonio
- Emil Oliva of Leche de Tigre in San Antonio
- John Ramos and Jonathan Reyes of Chika in San Antonio
- Alex Sarmiento and Brenda Sarmiento of El Pastor Es Mi Señor in San Antonio
- Alexandra Gates of Cochineal in Marfa
- Michael Anthony Serva of Bordo in Marfa
- Eugenio Uribe of Le Rêve in Brownsville
Finalists for the prestigious awards will be announced on Wednesday, April 2. The winners will be named at a ceremony on Monday, June 16, in Chicago. See how Dallas and Houston fared.
Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Foundation Awards.
Wednesday, January 22, 2024, 2:33 p.m.: Correction: This article has been updated to include Evan LeRoy in the Best Chef: Texas category and updated the number of Austin nominations.
