The James Beard Foundation announced its 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists for the James Beard Awards, and Colorado is well represented once again after several big winners from Colorado last year. This year’s list includes 14 Colorado James Beard Award semifinalists, with Centennial State honorees in some of the biggest categories.
That’s good news for Colorado foodies looking for exceptional dining, but Colorado Springs foodies will have to go on the road to experience these culinary hot spots. At least most of the restaurants and bars are a short drive away in Denver, Boulder and even Parker. If you want to make a culinary weekend getaway, be sure to check out our 3 of the Best Denver Hotels for a Weekend Getaway to be close to some of these award-winning restaurants.
Here are the 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists from Colorado.
Outstanding Chef
A chef who sets high culinary standards and has served as a positive example for other food professionals.
- Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction
Outstanding Restaurant
A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality and operations.
- Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder
Emerging Chef
A chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.
- Anna Nguyen and Ni Nguyen, Sắp Sửa, Denver
Best New Restaurant
A restaurant opened from Oct. 1, 2023, through September 30, 2024, that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality and operations.
- Alma Fonda Fina, Denver
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
A pastry chef or baker who makes desserts, pastries or breads. Candidate demonstrates exceptional skills and can be affiliated with any food business and does not need a brick-and mortar presence.
- Carolyn Nugent and Alen Ramos, Poulette Bakeshop, Parker
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages
A restaurant that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the pairing of wine and other beverages with food. This includes the selection, preparation and serving of wine, cocktails, spirits, coffee, tea, beer or any other beverage with outstanding hospitality and service that helps inform and enhance a customer’s appreciation of the beverage(s). Ethical sourcing will also be considered.
- Hop Alley, Denver
Best New Bar
A wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar or any other business whose primary offering is beverage, opened from Oct. 1, 2023 through Sept. 30, 2024, that already demonstrates excellence in beverages, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in the preparation of drinks, sourcing, service, hospitality, atmosphere and operations.
- Traveling Mercies, Aurora
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
A service professional who creates and serves cocktails or other offerings such as low- and nonalcoholic beverages. Candidate has set high standards; demonstrates creativity and consistency in excellence, innovation, hospitality; is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture; and has served as an exceptional example or mentor for other beverage professionals.
- McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, Yacht Club, Denver
Best Chef: Mountain
Chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions. The Mountain region includes Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.
- Erasmo Casiano and Diego Coconati, Lucina Eatery & Bar, Denver
- Bo Porytko, Molotov Kitschen + Cocktails, Denver
- Paul C. Reilly, Coperta, Denver
- Hosea Rosenberg, Blackbelly, Boulder
- Kenneth Wan, MAKfam, Denver
- Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver
About the James Beard Awards
This year marks the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards, widely considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors in the culinary industry. “For 35 years, the James Beard Awards have stood as a testament to American food culture and its exceptional talent. What began as a celebration of culinary achievement has evolved into a platform leading chefs and the broader culinary industry towards a new standard of excellence,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation. “As we mark this milestone, we are committed to our vision of a vibrant independent restaurant industry that stands as a cornerstone of American culture, community and economy; and drives towards a better food system.”
The 2025 James Beard Awards have expanded the focus on beverages, adding three new categories: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.
“We congratulate the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists, each of whom displays a notable commitment to their craft and exemplifies leadership,” said Lauren Saria and Erinn Tucker-Oluwole, Restaurant and Chef Awards Committee co-chairs. “It is an honor to recognize your distinctive talents that enrich America’s culinary landscape.”
Winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on June 16, 2025, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Interested in Colorado’s broader food scene?
Check out more of the prestigious and best restaurants in Colorado in All the Michelin Star Restaurants in Colorado.
