The vibrant restaurant scene in Kansas City highlights the culinary talent recognized in the 2025 James Beard Awards.
Kansas City is celebrating an impressive nine semifinalists in the 2025 James Beard Awards, showcasing the city’s vibrant culinary scene. Notable nominees include Georges French Bistro for Outstanding Restaurant and Helen Jo Leach for Outstanding Pastry Chef. JJ’s Restaurant stands out for its wine program, while several talented chefs are vying for Best Chef Midwest. This year’s nominations reflect Kansas City’s growth in the culinary arts, leading up to the announcement of finalists on April 2, 2025.
Kansas City is buzzing with excitement as the 2025 James Beard Awards has announced its annual semifinalist nominations, and our beloved city has made a fantastic showing with nine nominees this year! That’s right—this is the highest number of nominations the Kansas City area has ever achieved, topping the last two years where we had seven. It’s a delightful journey from just two nominations in 2022, and this growth speaks volumes about our vibrant culinary scene.
The James Beard Awards, often dubbed the “Oscars of Food,” are a prestigious recognition in the culinary world. Among this year’s nominees is Georges French Bistro, located in Wichita, Kansas, which received a nod as an Outstanding Restaurant Nominee. This is a significant achievement as it’s their very first time being nominated. The bistro has built its reputation on delivering delightful French cuisine, and now it’s getting the recognition it deserves.
Also shining brightly is Helen Jo Leach from The Town Company in Kansas City, Missouri, who has been nominated as the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. This marks her first James Beard nomination too, showcasing her talent for creating sweet masterpieces that have charmed many locals and visitors alike.
The iconic JJ’s Restaurant is another standout with a nomination for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. Established back in 1985, JJ’s has been a staple in our community and, despite undergoing new ownership at the end of last year, it continues to impress with its exceptional drink offerings. Cheers to that!
Another area where Kansas City shines is in the bar scene. John Brown’s Underground in Lawrence is up for the Outstanding Bar Nominee title, while Jay Sanders from Wild Child in Shawnee is celebrated for his talent, making the cut for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. With multiple accolades under his belt, Jay continues to elevate the Kansas City cocktail culture.
When it comes to the Best Chef Midwest category, Kansas City is well-represented with some familiar faces. Linda Duerr of The Restaurant at 1900, Johnny Leach from The Town Company—who’s been a semifinalist before—and Katie Liu-Sung of Chewology, who was nominated last year, are all vying for this prestigious recognition. Rounding out the list is Rozz Petrozz from Saltwell Farm Kitchen, who also earned a nomination last year. Each chef is known for their creativity and dedication to their craft, making Kansas City a true food lover’s paradise.
Excitement builds as the James Beard Foundation will announce the finalists on April 2, 2025, followed by a grand ceremony where the winners will be revealed at the Lyric Opera in Chicago on June 16, 2025. This is a thrilling journey for all nominees, and we can’t wait to see who takes home these prestigious awards!
Kansas City’s culinary scene is clearly on the rise, reflected in the diverse talent showcased in this year’s nominations. As we rally behind our local chefs and restaurants, let’s celebrate this milestone for Kansas City and support our food community!
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