14 Eastern PA Restaurants, Chefs Named 2025 James Beard Semifinalists

PHILADELPHIA — More than a dozen Philadelphia-area restaurants and chefs were named 2025 James Beard semifinalists, the organization announced Wednesday.

2025 is the 35th anniversary of the prestigious culinary awards, sometimes known as the “Oscars of food,” that recognize eateries and chefs who create exceptional food, food media content, and better food systems, the organization said. Awards also recognize a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.

This year in celebration of the pivotal anniversary, the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists are recognized across 25 categories, with an expanded focus on beverages, introducing three new categories: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.

Other categories include outstanding restaurateur, outstanding chef, outstanding restaurant, emerging chef, best new restaurant, outstanding bakery, outstanding pastry chef or baker, outstanding hospitality, outstanding wine and other beverages program, outstanding bar and best chef.

In Eastern Pennsylvania, the following restaurants and chefs were named semifinalists this year:

• Greg Vernick, Vernick Fish, Philadelphia — Outstanding Chef
• Kalaya, Philadelphia — Outstanding Restaurant
• Phila Lorn, Mawn, Philadelphia — Emerging Chef
• Machine Shop, Philadelphia — Outstanding Bakery
• Abigail Dahan, Provenance, Philadelphia — Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
• Little Fish, Philadelphia — Outstanding Hospitality
• Càphê Roasters, Philadelphia — Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
• The Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia — Outstanding Bar
• Kampar Kongsi, Philadelphia — Best New Bar
• Juan Carlos Aparicio, El Chingon, Philadelphia — Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
• Yun Fuentes, Bolo, Philadelphia — Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic
• Anthony Andiario, Andiario, West Chester — Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic
• Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia — Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic
• Amanda Shulman, Her Place Supper Club, Philadelphia — Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic

Nominees will be announced on April 2, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.