The James Beard Foundation announced the finalists in the chef and restaurant categories for its prestigious culinary awards known as the “Oscars of the food world.” Of the 12 semifinalists from Atlanta and Georgia, Aria is the lone representative this year, a finalist for Outstanding Hospitality.
Last week, Aria chef Gerry Klaskala announced his retirement from the restaurant industry. This includes stepping down as owner and head chef of Aria, the Buckhead restaurant he opened in 2000 inside a converted house on East Paces Ferry Road.
Klaskala and his business partners turned the keys to the Buckhead fine dining institution over to Aria’s long-tenured general manager and sommelier, Andrés Loaiza. Hospitality has been a core tenet at Aria since opening 25 years ago, something that will continue under Loaiza, also known for his gracious service at the Buckhead restaurant.
At 17, Klaskala abandoned his plans to become an artist and enrolled in The Culinary Institute of America. Having worked in hotel restaurants for several years in Boston and Savannah, Klaskala moved to Atlanta in 1987 to become the opening chef and managing partner of the legendary Buckhead Diner. In 1995, Klaskala struck out on his own, opening Canoe in Vinings, followed by Aria in Buckhead five years later.
Here, Klaskala cemented his status as one of Atlanta’s most revered chefs and transformed Aria into one of the city’s most celebrated restaurants. Aria is a perennial on local and national “best restaurants” lists for Atlanta, garnering numerous awards and accolades over the last 25 years.
The 2025 nomination from the James Beard Foundation becomes a fitting tribute to Klaskala and his ardent commitment to hospitality at Aria.
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Presented annually by the James Beard Foundation, the awards cover several categories like Best Chef: Southeast, Outstanding Restaurant, Best New Restaurant, and Emerging Chef.
In 2025, the foundation also introduced three new categories to the awards lineup: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. Marietta Proper nabbed a semifinalist nod for Best New Bar, while Kursten Berry of Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours became one of 20 semifinalists for the new Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service category.
Chad Houser, the chef and founder behind the nonprofit-run restaurant Cafe Momentum, received the Humanitarian of the Year award. A location of the restaurant recently opened in downtown Atlanta. Cafe Momentum helps young people who’ve been in juvenile detention build professional skills through training and mentorship in the hospitality industry.
Winners are announced during an awards ceremony held live in Chicago on Monday, June 16.
Outstanding Hospitality
Aria, Buckhead (JAMES BEARD AWARD FINALIST and moving forward to the awards ceremony in Chicago)
Best New Restaurant
Casa Balam, Decatur (semifinalist)
Best New Bar
Marietta Proper, Marietta (semifinalist)
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
Kursten Berry, Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, Blandtown (semifinalist)
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Lucian Books & Wine, Buckhead (semifinalist)
Best Chef: Southeast
- Rod Lassiter and Parnass Savang of Talat Market, Summerhill (semifinalist)
- Bruce Logue of BoccaLupo, Inman Park (semifinalist)
- Brian So of Spring, Marietta (semifinalist)
- Fu Li Zhang of LanZhou Ramen, Doraville (semifinalist)
- Brandon Carter and Joseph Harrison of Common Thread, Savannah (semifinalist)
Outstanding Bar
Lone Wolf Lounge, Savannah (semifinalist)