James Beard Awards: Meet the 14 semifinalists in the Philadelphia region

the 2025 James Beard award nominations are out and Philadelphia's growing foodie scene earned more than a dozen nods our Lea velli breaks down the list of 14 local restaurants and Chef semi-finalists who are celebrating today's big announcement what's your reaction how are you feeling you know it's shocking it's uh it's an honor to be nominated paila Laur from m is up for emerging Chef it also feels really cool to be Cambodian and seeing a Cambodian name on a list is is cool too Amanda Schulman from her play Supper Club is up for best chef Mid-Atlantic along with four others Yun Fuentes from bolo Jesse Ido from Royal Sushi and isaka this your first piece Anthony onario from onario in Westchester and Juan Carlos apparicio from El chingon Greg Vernick is up for outstanding Chef Kalaya is a candidate for outstanding restaurant owner no sanan won best chef Mid-Atlantic in 2023 anytime in life if you want to pursue your dream do it Cafe roters is up for outstanding wine and beverage and machine shop for outstanding Bakery we're a small bakery that focuses on sustainability and local products Abigail danan from provenance got a nod for outstanding pastry chef it's like the Oscars you hear your name and you squeal oh my gosh I started screaming and crying you know all of the emotions little fish got an outstanding Hospitality nod the lover bar at Friday Saturday Sunday is up for outstanding bar and there's a new category this year best new bar Angie bran is Kar KY is vying for it you could be the very first winner of this brand new award oh my gosh oh my God such an honor to to be recognized for it and I I just uh can't be more grateful the field of semi-finalists will be narrowed down to the official James Beard award nominees on April 2nd winners will be celebrated in June in Chicago Alicia velli Channel 6 Action News