Who are Arizona’s James Beard Award semifinalists?

Chef Valerie Chang holds her James Beard Award at Maty's restaurant on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, in Miami, Fla. (Miami Herald/Contributor/Getty Images)

By Jessica Swarner

February 4, 2025

Fifteen chefs and restaurants in Arizona are semifinalists for James Beard Awards, which will be announced this summer.

Arizona is full of top-notch eateries—and this year’s shortlist for the James Beard Awards proves it.

Fifteen chefs and restaurants in the state were named semifinalists in the competition also known as “the Oscars of food.”

Nominees will be announced on April 2, and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 16 in Chicago.

The first James Beard Awards were given in 1991, and they now recognize professionals across 25 categories. The new categories this year are best new bar, outstanding professional in beverage service, and outstanding professional in cocktail service.

Here are all of the semifinalists in Arizona:

Emerging chef
Lawrence “LT” Smith, Chilte, Phoenix

Best new restaurant
Santo Arcadia, Phoenix

Outstanding bakery
Patisserie Jacqui, Bisbee

Outstanding pastry chef or baker
Antonia Kane, COURSE, Scottsdale
Crystal Kass, Valentine, Phoenix

Outstanding hospitality
Kai, Gila River Indian Community

Outstanding bar
Little Rituals, Phoenix

Best new bar
Kid Sister, Phoenix

Outstanding professional in cocktail service
Jax Donahue, Carry On, Phoenix

Best chef: Southwest
Jose Contreras, Amelia’s Mexican Kitchen, Tucson
Donald Hawk, Valentine, Phoenix
Stephen Jones, The Larder & The Delta, Phoenix
Bernie Kantak, Beginners Luck, Scottsdale
Yotaka Martin, Lom Wong, Phoenix
Cory Oppold, COURSE, Scottsdale

Author

Jessica Swarner

Jessica Swarner is The Copper Courier’s newsletter editor. She is an Arizona State University alumna and previously worked at KTAR News 92.3 FM in Phoenix.

Have a story tip? Reach Jessica at [email protected]. For local reporting in Arizona that connects the dots, from policy to people, sign up for The Copper Courier's daily newsletter. For Phoenix housing news, renter-friendly design inspo, and real talk about renting, sign up for Rent Check PHX.

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CATEGORIES: FOOD AND DRINK

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