And just like that, the 2025 awards season is underway. This includes nominations for the restaurant industry’s biggest night of the year: the James Beard Awards.
The James Beard Foundation has announced its semifinalists in the chef and restaurant categories for the prestigious awards known as the “Oscars of the food world.” Kimball House and Rod Lassiter and Parnass Savang of Talat Market are among the semifinalists from Atlanta.
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This year, 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.
Check out the complete list of chefs and restaurants from Atlanta and Georgia named semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards. Finalists are announced on Wednesday, Apr. 2, with the winners announced during an awards ceremony in Chicago on Monday, Jun. 16.
Outstanding Restaurant
Kimball House, Decatur
Best New Restaurant
Casa Balam, Decatur
Outstanding Hospitality
Aria, Buckhead
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Lucian Books & Wine, Buckhead
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
Kursten Berry, Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours, Blandtown
Best New Bar
Marietta Proper, Marietta
Best Chef: Southeast
- Rod Lassiter and Parnass Savang of Talat Market, Summerhill
- Bruce Logue of BoccaLupo, Inman Park
- Brian So of Spring, Marietta
- Fu Li Zhang of LanZhou Ramen, Doraville
- Brandon Carter and Joseph Harrison of Common Thread, Savannah
Outstanding Bar
Lone Wolf Lounge, Savannah