Five Chicago restaurants are finalists for this year’s James Beard Awards.
Lincoln Park’s ode to Middle Eastern cuisine Galit is a finalist for outstanding restaurant, while West Loop open grill concept Maxwell’s Trading, Pilsen Vietnamese eatery HaiSous and fine dining destination Oriole are all among this year’s finalists in the best chef Great Lakes category, the James Beard Foundation announced Wednesday.
Kumiko in the West Loop is nominated for outstanding bar.
The full list of finalists was culled from 22 Chicago semifinalists announced in January.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the coveted awards, which are named for the late James Beard, a pioneering American chef. Often dubbed “the Oscars of the culinary world,” the prize has become one of the most prestigious in the industry,
Lem’s Bar-B-Q, a staple of the South Side’s Chatham neighborhood, was recognized last month by the Beards as an “America’s Classic,” making it one of only six restaurants nationally to be selected. That recognition is reserved for restaurants with a “timeless appeal” and that are “beloved by their communities.” Other Chicago institutions that have won the honor previously include Calumet Fisheries, Sun Wah and The Berghoff.
Food writer and journalist Toni Tipton-Martin, editor-in-chief of Cook’s Country Magazine and its related television show, will be recognized by the Beards with a Lifetime Achievement award.
This year’s winners will be announced June 16 at Chicago’s Lyric Opera House, marking the 10th year the ceremony has called Chicago home.
2025 Chicago chef and restaurant James Beard Award finalists:
Outstanding restaurant: Galit
Best Chef Great Lakes:
— Thai Dang, HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen
— Chris Jung and Erling Wu-Bower, Maxwells Trading
— Noah Sandoval, Oriole
Outstanding Bar: Kumiko