Maxwells Trading, Galit, Oriole, HaiSous and Kumiko are among the Chicago spots listed as finalists for the prestigious award.

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Several Chicago chefs and restaurants were named as finalist nominees for the 2025 James Beard Awards. The James Beard Foundation is known for its prestigious restaurant awards in the country. Kumiko in West Loop is nominated for outstanding bar.

Three chefs, a restaurant, a bakery and a bar will represent Oregon at the so-called Oscars of the Food World.

Nominations have been announced for the prestigious 2025 James Beard Awards that recognize people and businesses in the United States' food and hospitality industry. Chicago has five nominees this year.

The James Beard Foundation awards, sometimes known as the “Oscars of food,” are among the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors.

Galit in Lincoln Park, West Loop bar Kumiko and chefs from Maxwells Trading, HaiSous and Oriole are among the nominees for the prestigious food awards.

The James Beard Foundation announced finalist nominations on Wednesday, April 2, for the restaurant and chef categories for the 2025 James Beard Awards. The newly released list cuts down the 22 Chicago semifinalists announced in January to only five finalists in the running for one of the prestigious awards named after the pioneering celebrity chef.

Frasca Food and Wine is among five eateries nominated by the James Beard Foundation to be honored as the nation’s most outstanding restaurant.

A bar, restaurant, and four chefs from Chicago were named nominees for the James Beard Awards, among the most prestigious honors in the industry.