This years, marks the 35th anniversary of the awards and to celebrate, the foundation has expanded its focus to include beverages.
New categories this year include Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.
Here’s where you can find these Ohio semifinalists:
Outstanding Restauranteur
Chef Douglas Katz of Edgewater Hospitality Group is a partner of Zhug, Amba and Kiln in the Cleveland area.
- Zhug is a Mediterranean restaurant in a casual, high energy space at 12413 Cedar Road in Cleveland Heights.
- Amba features Indian-inspired small plates at 1430 W. 28th St. in Cleveland.
- Kiln serves family-style, regional classics in an elevated, bistro-inspired space. It’s located at 3386 Tuttle Road in Shaker Heights.
Emerging Chef, presented by S. Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
Chef and owner Jordan Anthony-Brown opened The Aperture in January 2024 to create meaningful experiences and human connection through intentional and balanced hospitality.
The restaurant, located at 900 E. McMillan St. in Cincinnati, features a Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Outstanding Bakery
Dan The Baker, located at 1028 Ridge St. in Columbus, features artisan breads and pastries.
The bakery is led by Dan Riesenberger, who has been baking professionally since 2007.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Alexandra La Valle of Larder, an Eastern European delicatessen and bakery located at 1455 W. 29th St. in Cleveland, is a semifinalist for pastry chef or baker.
Larder was opened in 2018 with the goal of preserving and stewarding the Jewish Delicatessen of Yesteryear.
Outstanding Bar
Law Bird, located at 740 S. High St. in Columbus, features wine, snacks and cocktails. The bar recently dropped a cocktail menu inspired by famous pieces of Modern Art.
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
Mike Stankovich is the owner of Longfellow Bar in Cincinnati at 1233 Clay St. It’s described as a low key cocktail bar and cafe.
Stankovich also owns Mid City Restaurant at 40 E. Court St. in Cincinnati.
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
- Chef Avishar Barua of Agni serves a Bengali-American menu at 716 S. High St. in Columbus.
- Chef Vinnie Cimino of Cordelia serves a menu that constantly evolves on the season’s finest and freshest ingredients at 2058 E. Fourth St. in Cleveland.
- Chef David Jackman of Wildweed started the restaurant as a pop up in 2018. The restaurant opened at 1301 Walnut St. in Cincinnati in July 2024.
- Chef Jeremy Umansky of Larder serves koji-cured pastrami sandwiches, matzo ball soup, breads, pastries and more at 1455 W. 29th St. in Cleveland.
Nominees for the 2025 James Beard Awards will be announced on April 2, followed by the winners on June 16.
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