The James Beard Foundation has unveiled its 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award Nominees, with six Dallas chefs and restaurants making the list of finalists.

At the top of the list is Chad Houser, founder of Cafe Momentum, who will receive the Humanitarian of the Year Award, given to an individual or organization working in the food realm who has given selflessly and worked tirelessly to better the lives of others and society at large.

Houser founded Café Momentum with a mission to transform young lives byequipping teens aged 15-19 with life skills, education, and employment opportunities at an awardwinning restaurant and culinary training facility. Café Momentum has expanded beyond Dallas to Atlanta and Pittsburgh, with a fourth location slated to open in Denver next year.

Other Dallas nominees include:

RJ Yoakum, Georgie, for Emerging Chef - a chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability

Mabo, for Best New Restaurant - demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.

Starship Bagel, for Outstanding Bakery - a baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.

Bar Colette, for Best New Bar - a wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar, or any other business whose primary offering is beverages.

There's also the regional Best Chef in Texas category, whose nominees include:

• Thomas Bille, Belly of the Beast, Spring
• Emmanuel Chavez, Tatemó, Houston
• Emil Oliva, Leche de Tigre, San Antonio
• Regino Rojas, Purépecha, Dallas
• Michael Anthony Serva, Bordo, Marfa

The 2025 James Beard Awards ceremonies will be held in Chicago on June 14-16, 2025.