New England’s Culinary Scene Shines at James Beard Awards

A glimpse into the glamour and culinary talent showcased at the annual James Beard Awards.

News Summary

The James Beard Awards highlighted New England’s culinary talent despite a single win this year. Sky Haneul Kim of Gift Horse in Providence secured the Best Chef Northeast award, marking a significant achievement. While other New England nominees didn’t take home awards, the quality and creativity in the region’s culinary offerings were celebrated. Sullivan’s Castle Island in South Boston received the America’s Classics Award, showcasing local favorites. The annual awards continue to set a benchmark for excellence within the culinary community, forecasting a promising future for New England chefs.

Chicago – The annual James Beard Awards, celebrated for emphasizing excellence in the culinary world, were held on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. This year, New England was represented by multiple nominees but secured only one victory. Sky Haneul Kim from Gift Horse in Providence won the prestigious award for Best Chef Northeast, making her the standout among local contenders.

Gift Horse, known for its innovative raw bar offerings infused with South Korean flavors, has garnered significant acclaim leading up to the awards, culminating in this notable recognition for Kim. Despite this win, it was a disappointing evening overall for New England, as numerous other highly regarded establishments and chef nominees did not claim awards in their respective categories.

In the Outstanding Chef category, Cassie Piuma from Sarma in Somerville was nominated but ultimately lost to Jung Sik Yim of Jungsik in New York. This marks another near miss for Piuma, who has been a strong competitor in the region’s culinary scene.

Oberlin, a renowned restaurant located in Providence, was also nominated for Outstanding Restaurant but faced off against Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado, which took home the award. Meanwhile, the nomination for Outstanding Restaurateur went to Allison Gibson and Cara Tobin from Burlington, Vermont; however, the award was claimed by the New York duo Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr.

Brookline’s Merai earned a nomination for Best New Bar, vying for recognition against other establishments but lost the award to Identidad Cocktail Bar in San Juan. Similarly, Nikhil Naiker from NIMKI in Providence was in the running for Emerging Chef, yet the award was won by Phila Lorn from Mawn in Philadelphia.

In addition, Wolf Tree in White River Junction, Vermont, was nominated for Outstanding Bar, but the honor went to Kumiko located in Chicago. Super Secret Ice Cream from Bethlehem, New Hampshire was nominated for Outstanding Bakery but fell short to the winner, JinJu Patisserie from Portland, Oregon.

Despite the overall shortfall in awarded categories, New England did receive recognition through Sullivan’s Castle Island in South Boston, which was honored with the previously announced America’s Classics Award. This award acknowledges outstanding, locally owned restaurants that possess timeless appeal. The awards committee identified Sullivan’s as a “Boston institution” that holds significant affection within the community.

The James Beard Awards serve as a benchmark for culinary excellence, shining a spotlight on the talents of chefs and food establishments across the United States. Though New England’s representation resulted in a solitary award this year, the nominations reflect a region rich in culinary talent, originality, and commitment to quality. As chefs and restaurateurs continue to push boundaries with innovative dishes and dining experiences, the future may hold greater honors for New England at next year’s awards.