The James Beard Awards return to Chicago on Monday, and beyond the big night, organizers are bringing a slew of events, from bookstore pop-ups to visiting chef dinners to industry panels.
The mainstage event for the “Oscars of the food world” takes place June 16, at Chicago’s Lyric Opera house, marking the Beards’ 35th anniversary.
This year, Chicago has five finalists — Galit, Maxwells Trading, HaiSous, Oriole and Kumiko. Plus, South Side staple Lem’s Bar-B-Q has already earned a 2025 honor as an “America’s Classic” awardee by the Beards.
While tickets to the award show are sold out, Chicagoans can get in on the foodie festivities with pop-up events around town. Highlights include a bookstore pop-up hosted by Maxwells Trading and Third Season that will feature collectible, rare and out-of-print culinary titles on June 14 and June 17. A collaboration on June 14 between Chicago’s Justice of the Pies chef-owner Maya-Camille Broussard and visiting New York City pastry chef Camari Mick will explore the overlap between Southern American food and Caribbean cuisine inside the pie shop’s modernist digs.
Plus, there will be panels made up of industry experts, like a series of conversations hosted by Justice For Migrant Women on June 14, which will discuss everything from addressing sexual harassment in restaurants to tackling mental health issues among workers in the food industry.
There will also be a Martini Soirée on June 15, cohosted by the Beard semifinalists Bisous and TRUCE. Sportsman’s Club is hosting a pop-up party on June 15 in collaboration with the New Orleans cocktail bar, NightBloom, featuring signature drinks from the Big Easy.
These Chicago chefs and restaurants are 2025 James Beard Award finalists:
Outstanding Restaurant
Galit, 2429 N. Lincoln Ave.
This ode to Middle Eastern cuisine in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood first opened its doors in 2019, just months before the COVID-19 pandemic. At times, it’s been a bumpy road, Galit co-owner Andrés Clavero told WBEZ. He said, that makes this honor all the more special. “I’m very proud of our team,” Clavero said. “They help share our vision every single day and it’s really a testament to them.”
Best Chef Great Lakes
Thai Dang, HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen, 1800 S. Carpenter St.
Since 2017, HaiSous has been serving elevated Vietnamese food in an approachable environment in Pilsen. The restaurant is run by the husband-wife duo, Thai and Danielle Dang. Thai Dang has said that the goal of their restaurant is to “change how people feel about Vietnamese cuisine. We want to showcase flavors that people have never had and don’t expect.” The eatery is on the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand list.
Chris Jung and Erling Wu-Bower, Maxwells Trading, 1516 W. Carroll Ave.
West Loop’s Maxwells Trading opened its doors in late 2023 and has quickly earned its share of praise. The Asian-inspired spot is run by chef and owner Erling Wu-Bower and executive chef Chris Jung. In January, Jung was recognized by his peers as the Rising Chef of the Year at the local Banchet Awards. If you eat here, don’t miss the Japanese Eggplant.
Noah Sandoval, Oriole, 661 W. Walnut St.
Perhaps the most established of the local finalists this year, fine dining destination Oriole first opened in 2016. Chef Noah Sandoval and team have two Michelin stars and have previously won Restaurant of the Year at the Banchet Awards. The Michelin Guide calls Oriole, located in a former West Loop warehouse, a blend of French and Japanese elements.
Outstanding Bar
Kumiko, 630 W. Lake St.
Julia Momosé’s West Loop Japanese cocktail bar has become a favorite among those in the know. In 2021, Momosé — who was born and raised in Japan — wrote “The Way of the Cocktail,” a book that explored Japanese traditions and techniques when it comes to making a drink. That book earned her a James Beard media award. Kumiko also serves light food, from Japanese potato salad to oysters and caviar.