
The Midwest culinary scene is beaming with pride as both Wisconsin and Minnesota chefs and establishments receive critical acclaim through their nominations for the 2025 James Beard Awards.
Wisconsin nominees, as confirmed by Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, include Gregory León for Outstanding Chef, with Milwaukee's Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge up for Outstanding Bar, and Agency in the running for Best New Bar. Gregory León of Amilinda has been a long-standing contender, having been nominated previously in the Best Chef, Midwest category in 2022 and 2023, before his inclusion in the outstanding category this year.
Milwaukee chefs Ross Bachhuber and Samuel Ek of Odd Duck; Kyle Knall of Birch; and Dan Jacobs and Dan Van Rite from EsterEV are being considered for Best Chef Midwest category, as per WISN report.
Minnesota has 11 semifinalist nominations, including Ann Ahmed for Outstanding Chef and Spoon and Stable for Outstanding Restaurant. The Best Chef Midwest category also features Minnesota chefs Shigeyuki Furukawa and Diane Moua, according to Twin Cities report.
The James Beard Foundation has added a new category, Best New Bar, to this year's awards. The semifinalists, known as the long list, will be narrowed down to a shortlist on April 2, with the winners announced at a gala on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.