Oregon chefs, restaurants named among 2025 James Beard Awards semifinalists

Portland chef Gregory Gourdet holds the medal he won — his third in three years — at the James Beard Awards in Chicago on June 10.Courtesy of the James Beard Foundation

Oregon chefs, restaurants, bars and a bakery were among the semifinalists named for the 2025 James Beard Awards in an announcement Wednesday.

Often called “the Oscars of the food world,” the Beard Awards aim to “recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to creating a culture where all can thrive.”

Leading the way Wednesday were two longtime Portland chefs with nominations in the prestigious Outstanding Chef category, Sarah Minnick of the pioneering North Portland pizzeria Lovely’s Fifty Fifty and two-time winner Gabriel Rucker (Rising Star Chef: 2011; Best Chef: Northwest, 2013) of East Burnside destination Le Pigeon.

The city also landed a spot in the Outstanding Restaurant category — the same award given to Portland’s Langbaan last year. This year, it’s Coquine’s turn to go up against the heavyweights from New York, San Francisco and Washington D.C.

In other national categories, Jinju Patisserie in North Portland received its second consecutive nomination as an Outstanding Bakery, Scotch Lodge in Southeast Portland was named a semifinalist for Outstanding Bar and Joel Gunderson of Heavenly Creatures in Northeast Portland appeared in the new Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service category.

But the awards aren’t all Portland-focused this year. For the regional Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific awards, chefs from Amity (Timothy Wastell, Antica Terra), Ashland (Joshua Dorcak, MÄS), Eugene (Isaiah Martinez, Yardy) and McMinnville (Sarah Schafer, Humble Spirit and Kari Shaughnessy, Hayward) will face off against Ryan Roadhouse of Nodoguro, which is moving to downtown Portland, and Thomas Pisha-Duffly of Northeast Portland’s Gado Gado.

The short list of award nominees will be announced on Wednesday, April 2. Winners will be celebrated at the Beard awards ceremony on Monday, June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

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