News Summary
San Antonio is celebrating a remarkable achievement with seven of its restaurants and chefs nominated for the prestigious 2025 James Beard Awards. This year, San Antonio surpassed Austin, which garnered six nominations, showcasing the culinary talent in the city. Notable nominees include Mixtli for Outstanding Hospitality and six chefs contending for Best Chef: Texas. The wave of recognition also extends to El Paso and Brownsville, highlighting a broader representation of Texas’s culinary landscape. Finalists will be revealed on April 2, with the winners at a ceremony in June.
San Antonio Shines Bright at the 2025 James Beard Awards
San Antonio is buzzing with excitement as the James Beard Foundation recently announced the semifinalists for the prestigious 2025 James Beard Awards. This year, the city has made a spectacular showing with a total of seven restaurants and chefs receiving recognition, marking it as a banner year for culinary talent.
In what feels like a friendly rivalry, Austin trailed behind San Antonio with nominations in six categories. Still, it’s San Antonio that stands tall with the most semifinalists, creating an air of festivity and pride for food lovers in the area. The nominations not only honor the top talents in the culinary scene but also highlight the vibrant community that keeps San Antonio’s gastronomic flame burning.
A Taste of Hospitality
Among the notable nominations, Mixtli, a celebrated gem in the city’s culinary crown, earned a spot for the Outstanding Hospitality Award. Filling diners’ hearts with warmth and culinary bliss, Mixtli has quickly become a must-visit destination for anyone eager to experience San Antonio’s rich flavors.
Top Chefs Get Their Due
This year, six of San Antonio’s talented chefs are in the running for the esteemed title of Best Chef: Texas. These passionate culinary masterminds include:
- Leo Davila of Stixs & Stone.
- Jennifer Hwa Dobbertin of Best Quality Daughter.
- John Ramos of Chika.
- Jonathan Reyes of Chika.
- Rico Torres of Mixtli.
- Diego Galicia of Mixtli.
- Evan LeRoy, from another exciting but unnamed location.
It’s heartening to see these chefs receive acknowledgment for their dedication and creativity in the kitchen, showcasing the culinary talent that thrives in the Alamo City!
Broadening Texas’ Culinary Landscape
The announcement has also spotlighted amazing restaurants from other Texas cities. El Paso and Brownsville have their own share of nominations, marking a growing trend in recognizing broader areas of Texas beyond just the major metropolitan hubs. In this wave of recognition, Tavel Bristol-Joseph of Canje in Austin shines as a finalist for Outstanding Chef, while the dynamic duo David Kirkland and Ernest Servantes of Burnt Bean Co. in Seguin are also nominated in the same prestigious category.
New culinary establishments are also making their mark—like Lao’d Bar in Austin, which has been nominated for Best New Restaurant.
Exciting Nominations from El Paso
El Paso too is celebrating some noteworthy nominations, including:
- Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Mateo Herrera of La Puerta del Sol.
- Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: Taconeta.
- Outstanding Restaurant: Elemi.
Doesn’t it feel great when culinary creativity gets the acknowledgment it deserves?
What Lies Ahead
As we look ahead, the anticipation is building. Finalists for the awards will be unveiled on April 2, with the winners announced in a grand ceremony on June 16 in Chicago. San Antonio is eagerly holding its breath, hoping to finally break the 23-year streak without securing a James Beard Award.
With Mixtli recently clinching San Antonio’s first-ever Michelin Star and raking in other accolades, the city is on the cusp of something remarkable. Burnt Bean Co., renowned for its mouthwatering barbecue, continues to impress as it receives nominations across various categories.
For all the food lovers, chefs, and restaurant owners out there: this is your moment to shine! San Antonio is ready to put its culinary prowess on display and take home the coveted James Beard honors.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Express News
- Wikipedia: James Beard Award
- Culture Map San Antonio
- Google Search: San Antonio restaurants James Beard Awards 2025
- KSAT News
- Google Scholar: James Beard Awards
- San Antonio Current
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Antonio culinary scene
- Eater Austin
- Google News: Texas James Beard Awards 2025
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
