LA restaurants could win right now. The Eaton and Palisades fires destroyed eateries in Altadena and Pacific Palisades (see how you can help here), prompting spots across the city to provide free meals to first responders and evacuees. But while Angelenos’ survivalist shift is understandable, it means some of their favorite restaurants are currently struggling.
Can the “Oscar of Food” alone solve this problem? Of course not. But consider Wednesday’s announcement of the 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists an incentive to book a table. Sixteen Los Angeles restaurants and chefs have been shortlisted for the prestigious award. On April 2, these nominees will be narrowed down to a list of finalists, and the winners will be announced during an event in Chicago on June 16.
The semi-finalists include “Outstanding Chef” Gilberto Cetina of the Mexican seafood stall “Holbox”, “Outstanding Restaurant” for the French bistro “Pajoli” and this year’s new winner “Thunderbolt”. Includes an “excellent bar”. A complete list of semifinalists is located a little further down this page, but is limited to candidates within Los Angeles County. Daisy and Greg Ryan of Bell’s in Los Alamos (Outstanding Restaurateur), Tiki Bar Strong Water in Anaheim (Outstanding Wine and Other Beverage Program), and Daniel Castillo of Heritage Barbecue in San Juan Capistrano (Outstanding Restaurateur) Several local residents were also on the shortlist, including Chef (Chef). :California).
The James Beard Foundation’s annual awards “recognize outstanding talent in the culinary and food media industries.” (Last year, Lord Maynard, chef of Los Angeles’ Kuya Lord, won the “Best Chef: California” award.) For the 35th year in 2025, the foundation is creating a new bar-specific category. Added three. You can see these players and the rest of the LA semifinalists below.
excellent chef
Gilberto Cetina, Holbox
great restaurant
Pajoli (Santa Monica)
up-and-coming chef
Jesus “Chuy” Cervantes, Damien
best new restaurant
bridgetown roti
great bakery
Gust Bread (Long Beach)
Excellent pastry chef or baker
Nicole Rucker, Fat + Flour
outstanding hospitality
Republique
outstanding bar
lightning strike
Excellent professional in cocktail service
Tobin Shea, Redbird
Best Chef: California
Evan Argoli, Etra
Daniel Duran Zecca, Amiga Amore
Elvia Garcia and Alex Garcia, “Evil Cooks”
Melissa Lopez, Barra Santos
Charles Namba Camellia
Quan Woo, Baloo
John Yao, Cato
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