The semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards have been announced, and 11 chefs and restaurants from Minnesota are in the mix.

In the nationwide award categories, the local semifinalists are

· Ann Ahmed (Gai Noi and Khâluna) for Outstanding Chef

· Spoon and Stable (Gavin Kaysen) for Outstanding Restaurant

· Bucheron (Adam and Jeanie Ritter) and Vinai (Yia Vang) for Best New Restaurant

· Mucci’s (Tim Niver and team) for Outstanding Hospitality

· Bar Brava in Minneapolis for Outstanding Wine and other Beverages Program.

And in the regional Best Chef Midwest category, five of the 20 semifinalists are from Minnesota:

· Shigeyuki Furukawa of Kado no Mise in Minneapolis

· Abraham Gessesse of Hyacinth in St. Paul

· Mateo Mackbee of Krewe in St. Joseph

-- Diane Moua of Diane’s Place in Minneapolis;

· Karyn Tomlinson of Myriel in St. Paul.

Best Chef Midwest category encompasses Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

The James Beard Awards are considered to be the Oscars of the culinary community.

The semifinalists, known as the long list, will be trimmed April 2 to a shortlist of nominees. Awards are held June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.