4 hours Ago
PHOENIX — Several chefs and restaurants throughout Arizona have been included in the James Beard Foundation's list of award semifinalists for the best culinary offerings throughout the U.S. Lawrence "LT" Smith of Chilte in Phoenix was listed as a semifinalist in the "emerging chef" category.
Smith was notably included in the 2024 Food & Wine Best New Chefs list. Smith was also one of three chefs picked last year to help design a new version of Taco Bell's Crunchwrap Supreme. Santo Arcadia, a Mexican restaurant in Phoenix, was included in the semifinalists list for the "best new restaurant" award of 2025.
Patisserie Jacqui, located in Bisbee, has been listed as a semifinalist for the foundation's "best bakery" award. Antonia Kane of Course Restaurant in Scottsdale and Crystal Kass of Valentine in Phoenix have both been listed as semifinalists in the "best pastry chef" award. The Kai restaurant located in the Gila River Indian Community made the semifinals list for "outstanding hospitality.
" Little Rituals in Phoenix was listed as a semifinalist for the "outstanding bar" award. Kid Sister in Phoenix was included in the "best new bar" semifinalists list. Jax Donahue of Carry On in Phoenix is a semifinalist for the "outstanding professional in cocktail service" award.
The James Beard Foundation also bestows culinary awards based on geographic regions. The semifinalists from Arizona who made it into the Southwest category for "best chef" include: Jose Contreras, Amelia's Mexican Kitchen, Tucson Donald Hawk, Valentine, Phoenix Stephen Jones, The Larder & The Delta, Phoenix Bernie Kantak, Beginners Luck, Scottsdale Yotaka Martin, Lom Wong, Phoenix Cory Oppold, COURSE, Scottsdale Final nominees will be announced on April 2 and winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 16. Phoenix chef Rene Andrade of Bacanora received a James Beard Award during last year's ceremony.
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