2 Phoenix chefs named 2025 James Beard Award finalists

“I feel like I never stop thinking about what’s next," Valentine pastry chef Crystal Kass told New Times. A James Beard Award may be in her future. Sara Crocker

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The James Beard Awards are some of the most prestigious honors in the food and drink world. And the James Beard Foundation, which runs the awards, is getting closer to handing out the 2025 medals. On Wednesday, the nominees for the restaurant and chef awards were announced.

Two Phoenix food and drink experts have moved on to the next round. Here are the local nominees for the 2025 James Beard Awards.

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Alex and Yotaka “Sunny” Martin launched Lom Wong in 2022, followed by Mr. Baan's Bar and Mookata in 2023 (pictured). Yotaka is a nominee for Best Chef - Southwest.

Mary Berkstresser

Arizona's 2025 James Beard Award finalists

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Crystal Kass of Valentine, Phoenix

Best Chef - Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK): Yotaka Martin of Lom Wong, Phoenix

click to enlarge

Valentine pastry chef Crystal Kass is a 2025 nominee.

Sara Crocker

In January, the semifinalists were announced and 15 Arizona names made the cut. Now, the pool has slimmed down to the semifinalists and in June, the winners will be crowned.

Last year, local chef and culinary superstar Rene Andrade won the title of Best Chef - Southwest for his Sonoran-style cooking at his restaurants Bacanora and Huarachis.

In 2023, the James Beard Awards cut Arizona chefs from the running after the first round. Twelve local chefs and restaurants were named semifinalists, yet none became finalists. So, we gave the occasion its own award, commemorating the Best Snub of the year.

In 2022, Phoenix pizzaiolo Chris Bianco took home the award for Outstanding Restaurateur, and Tucson baker Don Guerra was named the Outstanding Baker for his exceptional bread-crafting at Barrio Bread.

This year's winners will be announced at an in-person ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on June 16.