Celebrating AAPI Roots and Recipes at the 2025 James Beard Awards

The James Beard Foundation® has shared the list of 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award winners, presented by Capital One. These awards spotlight the best in the culinary, beverage, and hospitality worlds—celebrating the people who are shaping the way we eat and experience food today. From rising stars to industry veterans, this year’s winners showcase an inspiring range of talent and creativity.

The awards ceremony was held on Monday, June 16, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, drawing a sold-out crowd of more than 1,500 guests. The night was hosted by chef and Next Level Chef co-host Nyesha Arrington, along with James Beard Award winner and TV personality Andrew Zimmern. The event brought together a vibrant mix of culinary leaders and food lovers, including red carpet and livestream correspondents Fariyal Abdullahi, Gregory Gourdet, Francis Lam, and Nilou Motamed. They were joined by a star-studded lineup of presenters from across the industry.

Among this year’s celebrated honorees are several Asian American and Pacific Islander chefs and restaurateurs whose work continues to elevate and diversify the culinary landscape. Their achievements reflect the creativity, skill, and cultural depth that AAPI communities bring to the table. Here's the list of AAPI winners at the 2025 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards.

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OUTSTANDING CHEF (Presented By Hilton)

Jungsik Yim, Jungsik, New York, NY

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EMERGING CHEF (Presented By S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water)

Phila Lorn, Mawn, Philadelphia, PA

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OUTSTANDING BAKERY

JinJu Patisserie, Portland, OR

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OUTSTANDING HOSPITALITY

Atomix, New York, NY

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OUTSTANDING BAR

Kumiko, Chicago, IL

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OUTSTANDING PROFESSIONAL IN BEVERAGE SERVICE

Arjav Ezekiel, Birdie's, Austin, TX

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BEST CHEFS

‍PRESENTED BY CAPITAL ONE (BY REGION)

California

Jon Yao, Kato, Los Angeles, CA

‍New York State

Vijay Kumar, Semma, New York, NY

Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

Sky Haneul Kim, Gift Horse, Providence, RI

South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)

Nando Chang, Itamae AO, Miami, FL

Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)

Yotaka Martin, Lom Wong, Phoenix, AZ

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The achievements of these AAPI winners reflect the richness of their heritage and the forward momentum of the culinary world. Their recognition serves as both inspiration and a reminder of the diverse voices driving the industry forward. We look forward to seeing how their work continues to influence the way we eat and connect through food.

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Source: The 2025 James Beard Award Winners | James Beard Foundation