The James Beard Foundation on Wednesday announced its 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award Semifinalists, and several from Hawaii are included on the list.
The James Beard Awards have been described as the Oscars of the culinary world and recognizes “exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity, sustainability, and creating a culture where all can thrive,” according to the foundation.
Keoni Regidor, executive chef at Lehua Restaurant at the ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo and a graduate of the Hawaii Community College culinary program, is the only Hawaii chef nominated for Emerging Chef, a nationwide category in which 20 chefs are on the semifinal list.
This year, five Hawaii chefs are semifinalists for Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific, which also includes the states of Alaska, Oregon and Washington.
One is Hilo native Sheldon Simeon, a prior James Beard nominee and executive chef of Tiffany’s in Wailuku, Maui, a restaurant he and wife Janice co-own.
The others are Ki Chung, Bar Maze, Honolulu; Ed Kenney, Mud Hen Water, Honolulu; Hyun Kim, O’Kims, Honolulu; and Andrew Le, The Pig and the Lady, Honolulu.
The Local General Store in Honolulu was named a semifinalist for Outstanding Bakery.
Hana Quon of Patisserie HQ in Honolulu made the semifinal list for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.
And Dave Newman of Pint + Jigger in Honolulu is a semifinalist for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.
Nominees will be announced on April 2, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony in June at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
