Two Capital Region chefs named James Beard Award semifinalists
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ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Two Capital Region chefs have been named semifinalists in the James Beard 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards. According to the James Beard Foundation, the James Beard Awards are "considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors."
Both Efrén Hernández of Casa Susanna in Leeds and Shaina Loew-Banayan of Café Mutton in Hudson are among the semifinalists for Best Chef: New York State. In total, 20 chefs are in the running for New York's best chef.
2025 marks the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards. The awards spotlight talent in the restaurant industry across several categories including Outstanding Restaurateur, Outstanding Chef, Outstanding Restaurant, Emerging Chef, Best New Restaurant, and more.
"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."
The top five chefs in each category will be announced as the nominees on Wednesday, April 2. The winners will be announced and celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.