There were 13 New Orleans restaurants and chefs as semifinalists, but only one made it to the finalists list

It’s awards season again: The James Beard Foundation has dropped its list of 2025 finalists in the restaurant and chef categories. This finalist list reflects the restaurant and chef categories. Winners will be awarded at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 16, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Lagniappe Bakehouse owner and chef Kaitlin Guerin was named a finalist in the Emerging Chef category. Since opening in September, Guerin’s Central City bakery has received national acclaim.

New Orleans’s James Beard Award Finalists for 2025

Emerging Chef

• Kaitlin Guerin, Lagniappe Bakery

Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Foundation Awards.