Let’s go little Rhody! On Jan 22 James Beard announced its semifinalists in the historic 35th annual Restaurant and Chef Awards for 2025. The James Beard Foundation is a non-profit organization “with a mission to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America;s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability.” Providence is well known in New England as the Creative Capital; our representation in many categories cements that.
Let’s go little Rhody! On Jan 22 James Beard announced its semifinalists in the historic 35th annual Restaurant and Chef Awards for 2025. The James Beard Foundation is a non-profit organization “with a mission to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America;s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability.” Providence is well known in New England as the Creative Capital; our representation in many categories cements that.
In the category of Outstanding Restaurant we have the hometown hero Oberlin, one of only two representing New England (known in competition as the Northeast Region). Oberlin’s commitment to consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations landed them as a finalist in 2024 in the same category. Let’s hope they have what it takes to “secure the bag” this year. Ben Sukle has received previous nominations as Emerging Chef and Best Chef Northeast. Their sister restaurant, Gift Horse, Chef Sky Haneul Kim, is up for Outstanding Chef Northeast. They bring a Korean-inspired flair to the local fresh seasonal raw bar location.
Subat Dilmurat of Jahunger‘s Wickenden location serves up Turkish Uyghur. Due to its identification with the culture of Central Asia, the cuisine is reminiscent of traditional hand-pulled noodles, but with distinctive flair. I, for one, am always rooting for underrepresented communities in food, and wish them the best of luck on their second nomination! Also representing the East Side is Robert Andreozzi of Pizza Marvin, their outstanding pizza speaks for itself and his years of previous nominations cement his position in the category. In nearby East Providence we have Nick Rabar of Honeybird Kitchen & Cocktails, a southern-inspired chicken spot beloved by locals. Last but not least we have Derek Wagner, champion of local seafood and local culinary hero, of Nicks on Broadway.
In commitment to supporting all walks of chef life, in the Emerging Chef Category we have Nikhil Naiker, originally of Fiji via the bay area, of NIMKI inside of West End jazz and cocktail location, the Courtland Club. He is the only representative from New England, a prior rising-star award-recipient, and Johnson and Wales grad. His eclectic style of tropical-inspired cuisine continues to draw recognition and excitement to the Providence West End. For Outstanding Hospitality we have Persimmon, one of only two Northeast restaurants, up for the third time. Chef Champe has been nominated many times previously for Best Chef Northeast and has ties to his Alma Mater, Johnson and Wales. •
