The James Beard Foundation, which hosts an annual ceremony that celebrates chefs, restaurants, bars and all things culinary, announced the semifinalists for its prestigious awards. And Colorado is well-represented on this list. In all, Colorado garnered 14 nominations. They include best new bar, outstanding baker or pastry chef, and emerging chef nominees. Nominees from Colorado and their categories are as follows: Outstanding Chef Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction Outstanding Restaurant Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder Emerging Chef Anna Nguyen and Ni Nguyen, Sắp Sửa, Denver Best New Restaurant Alma Fonda Fina, Denver Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker Carolyn Nugent and Alen Ramos, Poulette Bakeshop, Parker Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program Hop Alley, Denver Best New Bar Traveling Mercies, Aurora Outstanding Professional in a Cocktail Service McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, Yacht Club, Denver Best Chef: Mountain Erasmo Casiano and Diego Coconati, Lucina Eatery & Bar, Denver Bo Porytko, Molotov Kitschen + Cocktails, Denver Paul C. Reilly, Coperta, Denver Hosea Rosenberg, Blackbelly, Boulder Kenneth Wan, MAKfam, Denver Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver Other states represented in the best chef mountain region come from Utah, Montano, Idaho and Wyoming. “We congratulate the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists, each of whom displays a notable commitment to their craft and exemplifies leadership,” said Lauren Saria and Erinn Tucker-Oluwole, Restaurant and Chef Awards Committee co-chairs. “It is an honor to recognize your distinctive talents that enrich America’s culinary landscape.” “For 35 years, the James Beard Awards have stood as a testament to American food culture and its exceptional talent. What began as a celebration of culinary achievement has evolved into a platform leading chefs and the broader culinary industry towards a new standard of excellence,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO, James Beard Foundation. The Restaurant and Chef Award final nominees will be announced on Wednesday, April 2. Winners will be announced at the James Beard Awards ceremony on Monday, June 16 in Chicago.