West Loop dining bar Kumiko, Noah Sandoval of fine dining eatery Oriole win James Beard Awards
West Loop dining bar Kumiko and chef Noah Sandoval of fine dining restaurant Oriole took home James Beard Awards on Monday at Chicago’s Lyric Opera House.Kumiko won the prize for Outstanding Bar, while Sandoval, who was not present at the ceremony, received the award for Best Chef Great Lakes.Taking the podium, Kumiko owner, bartender and creative director Julia Momosé, who was born and raised in Japan and moved to the U.S. for college, was one of several honorees who spoke passionately about how immigrants fuel the food industry. Kumiko, she said, is a “team of immigrants.”“What’s happening right now with ICE and the deportations and people being ripped away from their families and their homes, even from their places of work: It’s not right, and it doesn’t feel right to stand here and celebrate an industry that has been built on the backs of immigrants,” she said.The culinary world’s big night out, which is celebrating its 35th year, brings together chefs and restaurateurs from across the country. The festivities have also brought a slew of events to Chicago, from parties to panels with industry insiders.This year, five Chicago restaurants were finalists. The list included Galit, the Lincoln Park Middle Eastern restaurant, which was up for one of the Beards’ top honors: Outstanding Restaurant. The award ultimately went to Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado. Galit co-owner Andrés Clavero (left) and chef Zachary Engel walk the red carpet at the James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House.Manuel Martinez/WBEZ Galit owner Andrés Clavero said it was “absolutely bonkers” to be Chicago’s only finalist in that category.“I mean, none of this is ever taken lightly, but a team award in the host city is surreal,” he said.In addition to Oriole, West Loop’s Asian-inspired Maxwells Trading and Pilsen Vietnamese eatery HaiSous were among this year’s finalists in the Best Chef Great Lakes category, which recognizes the best in the region.The James Beard Awards ceremony, which began in 1991, moved to Chicago from New York in 2015.“This is truly iconic to [host] the James Beard Awards. It’s not something that every city can boast or talk about or have the opportunity to do,” said Kristen Reynolds, the new president and CEO of Choose Chicago, who was on the red carpet Monday. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and his wife, Stacie, walk the red carpet at the James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House. Johnson said keeping the awards in Chicago beyond 2027 is a priority for his administration.Manuel Martinez/WBEZ Even though the Beards are only currently slated to be in Chicago until 2027, Reynolds was confident they will remain here — a sentiment that Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed as he addressed reporters.“There’s no better place to host this type of event than here in Chicago,” Johnson said. “I know they could go anywhere else in the world, but I think it’s only fitting here.” Chicago chef Rick Bayless, a Beard Award winner, poses with his wife, Deann, on the red carpet.Manuel Martinez/WBEZ Chicago restaurant veteran Rick Bayless walked the red carpet with his wife, Deann. He said the Beard Awards allow him to meet young chefs, whom he says are now defining the future of cuisine.“I mean, we have a place that’s almost 40 years old. We’re not going to steer that ship in a drastically different direction, but that’s good, OK?” Bayless said. “We can be the old guys on the block, but all of these young chefs are doing really fantastic things, and they are redefining what the word authentic means.”Last year, Lula Cafe in Logan Square was Chicago’s sole winner, when it took home the prize for Outstanding Hospitality.Earlier this year, South Side staple Lem’s Bar-B-Q earned a 2025 honor as an “America’s Classics
West Loop dining bar Kumiko and chef Noah Sandoval of fine dining restaurant Oriole took home James Beard Awards on Monday at Chicago’s Lyric Opera House.
Kumiko won the prize for Outstanding Bar, while Sandoval, who was not present at the ceremony, received the award for Best Chef Great Lakes.
Taking the podium, Kumiko owner, bartender and creative director Julia Momosé, who was born and raised in Japan and moved to the U.S. for college, was one of several honorees who spoke passionately about how immigrants fuel the food industry. Kumiko, she said, is a “team of immigrants.”
“What’s happening right now with ICE and the deportations and people being ripped away from their families and their homes, even from their places of work: It’s not right, and it doesn’t feel right to stand here and celebrate an industry that has been built on the backs of immigrants,” she said.
The culinary world’s big night out, which is celebrating its 35th year, brings together chefs and restaurateurs from across the country. The festivities have also brought a slew of events to Chicago, from parties to panels with industry insiders.
This year, five Chicago restaurants were finalists. The list included Galit, the Lincoln Park Middle Eastern restaurant, which was up for one of the Beards’ top honors: Outstanding Restaurant. The award ultimately went to Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado.
Galit owner Andrés Clavero said it was “absolutely bonkers” to be Chicago’s only finalist in that category.
“I mean, none of this is ever taken lightly, but a team award in the host city is surreal,” he said.
In addition to Oriole, West Loop’s Asian-inspired Maxwells Trading and Pilsen Vietnamese eatery HaiSous were among this year’s finalists in the Best Chef Great Lakes category, which recognizes the best in the region.
The James Beard Awards ceremony, which began in 1991, moved to Chicago from New York in 2015.
“This is truly iconic to [host] the James Beard Awards. It’s not something that every city can boast or talk about or have the opportunity to do,” said Kristen Reynolds, the new president and CEO of Choose Chicago, who was on the red carpet Monday.
Even though the Beards are only currently slated to be in Chicago until 2027, Reynolds was confident they will remain here — a sentiment that Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed as he addressed reporters.
“There’s no better place to host this type of event than here in Chicago,” Johnson said. “I know they could go anywhere else in the world, but I think it’s only fitting here.”
Chicago restaurant veteran Rick Bayless walked the red carpet with his wife, Deann. He said the Beard Awards allow him to meet young chefs, whom he says are now defining the future of cuisine.
“I mean, we have a place that’s almost 40 years old. We’re not going to steer that ship in a drastically different direction, but that’s good, OK?” Bayless said. “We can be the old guys on the block, but all of these young chefs are doing really fantastic things, and they are redefining what the word authentic means.”
Last year, Lula Cafe in Logan Square was Chicago’s sole winner, when it took home the prize for Outstanding Hospitality.
Earlier this year, South Side staple Lem’s Bar-B-Q earned a 2025 honor as an “America’s Classics” awardee by the Beards.
The sold-out ceremony was hosted by Nyesha Arrington and Andrew Zimmern.
Other major awards went to Phila Lorn of Cambodian noodle house Mawn in Philadelphia for Emerging Chef; Bûcheron in Minneapolis for Best New Restaurant; and Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr of Frenchette, Le Veau d’ Or and Le Rock in New York for Outstanding Restaurateurs.
What's Your Reaction?
