3 Alabama chefs named 2025 James Beard Awards semifinalists

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Wine Bars In Mobile
Outside Red or White in the historic district of Old Dauphin Way. (Clorissa Morgan / The Bama Buzz)

Three Alabamians from Auburn, Birmingham and Mobile were named 2025 James Beard Awards semifinalists this morning.

Described as the “Oscars” of the food world, the James Beard Awards were established in 1990 by the James Beard Foundation to “recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and furthers the foundation’s mission to celebrate, nurture and honor chefs and other leaders making America’s food culture more delicious, diverse and sustainable for everyone.”

And the James Beard Award nominees from Alabama are…

Two Men Holding Drinks Posing For The Camera
Adiõs co-owners José Medina Camacho and Jesús Méndez (Nathan Watson/Bham Now)

Who made this year’s list?

  • Jose Medina Camacho, Adios, Birmingham for NEW Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
  • David Bancroft, Acre, Auburn for Best Chef: South
  • Arwen Rice, Red or White, Mobile for Best Chef: South

It is the second year in a row Rice has been named a semifinalist.

Alabama James Beard Award winners

A Sign On A Wall
James Beard Foundation plaque in front of The Bright Star (Pat Byington / Bham Now)

Alabama has produced a number of James Beard Award winners over the years including Highland Bar and Grill in the Best Restaurant in the U.S. category.

Here is the list of past winners:

Will Alabamians take home a James Beard Award in 2025. We’ll know more this spring when the finalists are named on April 2nd.
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Pat Byington
Pat Byington
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