Reviewed by: Caleb Turrentine
3 Alabama chefs named 2025 James Beard Awards semifinalists
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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…

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

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:
- Automatic Seafood and Oysters Chef Adam Evans – Best Chef: South (2022)
- Highlands Bar & Grill — Outstanding Restaurant (2018)
- Dolester Miles, Highlands Bar & Grill — Outstanding Pastry Chef (2018)
- Hot and Hot Fish Club, Chef Chris Hastings — Best Chef: South (2012)
- Bright Star in Bessemer — American Classic (2010)
- Highlands Bar & Grill Chef Frank Stitt — Best Chef: Southeast (2001)
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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