For 35 years, the James Beard Foundation has helped to spotlight excellence and innovation in the culinary world. What started as an annual celebration of gastronomy has evolved to focusing on industry changemakers and thought leaders, as well. The James Beard Awards honor exceptional talent in the categories of restaurants and chefs, food media, and impact. We’re taking a moment to highlight the restaurant and chef nominees from Pennsylvania while looking back at last year’s PA winners in all categories.
Considering the James Beard Awards are among the highest culinary honors in the country, these nominations show us just how remarkable an influence Pennsylvanians have within the greater food industry. PA food makers and changemakers continue to pepper the lists of nominees and winners, making waves in their fields.
In 2024, not one but two Philadelphians won James Beard Leadership Awards. Christa Barfield aka FarmerJawn, owner of the largest Black-woman owned regenerative farm in the country was recognized for emerging leadership in her work focused on foodways for underserved communities. Muhammad Abdul-Hadi won a Leadership Award for his innovative work in reducing recidivism as Founder and Owner of Down North Pizza, which hires only formerly incarcerated staff. (Keep your eye out for a feature on Abdul-Hadi’s work, coming soon!)
Christa Barfield
Also in 2024, the foundation recognized three PA-based writers with awards. David Suro Piñera won Best Beverage Writing Without Recipes for his book, “Agave Spirits: The Past, Present, and Future of Mezcals.” In journalism, famed Philly foodie Craig LaBan and photographer Jessica Griffin of The Philadelphia Inquirer together won the Dining and Travel writing award for “An Inspiring Journey Home,” “21 Things Craig Laban Ate in Mexico” and “Mexican Spirits, Philly Energy.” And, though Danny Childs is technically from New Jersey, much of his energy is spent in Philadelphia, so we’ll count his influence as a win for PA. He won Best Beverage Book for “Slow Drinks: A Field Guide to Foraging and Fermenting Seasonal Sodas, Botanical Cocktails, Homemade Wines, and More,” which includes recipes for botanical sodas, homemade wines and seasonal cocktails.
As for the Restaurant and Chef categories, Vietnam Restaurant in Philadelphia was awarded a James Beard America’s Classics Award, honoring restaurants operating for a decade or more.
Jacob Trinh, chef de cuisine at Little Fish
Without further ado, here are the 2025 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists from Pennsylvania. We can’t wait to learn of the nominees in the media and impact categories, too, to get an even clearer picture of the impact Pennsylvanians are having in the food world!
Oustanding Chef: Greg Vernick of Vernick Fish – Modern oyster bar with globally-influenced menu focused on fish and shellfish entrees paired with wine and craft cocktails. One N. 19th St., Philadelphia (Four Seasons Hotel); (215) 419-5055.
Outstanding Restaurant: Kalaya – Vibrant, authentic Thai food in Fishtown with dumplings, curry and gorgeous spins on traditional Thai entrees. 4 W. Palmer St., Philadelphia; (215) 545-2535.
Emerging Chef: Phila Lorn of Mawn – A self-proclaimed “noodle house with no rules,” Mawn is a husband-and-wife-owned Cambodian eatery positively bursting with flavor. 764 S. 9th St., Philadelphia; no phone.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Abigail Dahan of Provenance – A pastry chef creating imaginative and exquisite desserts for French restaurant Provenance. 408 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia; (445) 223-8333.
Hojicha baba, grapefruit cream, grapefruit jam and sea buckthorn glaze by Abigail Dahan
Outstanding Hospitality: Little Fish – Charming little BYOB eatery in Queen Village serving Asian-influenced seafood fare. 746 S. 6th St., Philadelphia; (267) 455-0172.
Alex Yoon, Owner of Little Fish
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: Càphê Roasters – Vietnamese specialty coffee roastery in Kensington with coffee sourced from Southeast and East Asia. 3400 J St. G1, Philadelphia; (215) 690-1268.
Outstanding Bar: The Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday – Recently revamped first floor of the James Beard Award-winning restaurant with beautiful, marble-topped bar and carousel cocktail menu. 261 S. 21st St., Philadelphia; (215) 546-4232.
Best New Bar: Kampar Kongsi – Upstairs cocktail bar of Philly restaurant with menu inspired by 1960s and 1970s Malaysian cuisine. 611 S. 7th St., Philadelphia; (215) 989-2202.
- Anthony Andiario of Andiario; 106 W. Gay St., West Chester; (484) 887-0919.
Anthony Andiario
- Yun Fuentes of Bolo; 2025 Sansom St., Philadelphia; (267) 639-2741.
- Jesse Ito of Royal Sushi & Izakaya; 780 S. 2nd St., Philadelphia; (267) 909-9002.
Jesse Ito of Royal Sushi & Izakaya
- Kate Lasky and Tomasz Skowronski of Apteka; 4606 Penn Ave., Pittsburgh; (412) 251-0189.
- Amanda Shulman of Her Place Supper Club; 1740 Sansom St., Philadelphia; no phone.
- Wei Zhu of Chengdu Gourmet; 5840 Forward Ave., Pittsburgh; (412) 521-2088.
- Juan Carlos Aparicio of El Chingon; 1524 S. 10th St., Philadelphia; (267) 239-2131.
Juan Carlos Aparicio of El Chingon
- First photo at Andiario: Ed Williams
- Christa Barfield and Juan Carlos Aparicio photos: Mike Prince
- Fet-Fisk photo (cropped): Sarah Laponte
- Dessert photo: Abigail Dahan
- Jacob Trinh and Alex Yoon photos: Caean Couto
- Anthony Andiario photo: Andiario
- Jesse Ito photo: Royal Sushi & Izakaya
