The 2025 James Beard Award nominations are in and Las Vegas has five semifinalists. They include both a chef and a sommelier from restaurants at Wynn, a man whose Mexican food is turning heads in a southwest neighborhood, a fine dining chef from Joël Robuchon, and an award-winning pizza maker.
Established in 1990, the James Beard Awards are one of the nation’s most prestigious honors recognizing the country’s top restaurants and chefs. Wednesday’s announcement of the 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists marks the 35th anniversary of the awards (and the first edition to acknowledge bars).
On to the Las Vegas nominees. Cristie Norman, a sommelier who runs Delilah’s wine program at Wynn Las Vegas got the nod in the Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service category for the work she’s done building up an epic catalog at the high-end club-restaurant.
Chef Sarah Thompson of Casa Playa (another Wynn restaurant) was one of four Las Vegas semifinalists named for Best Chef: Southwest. Others include DJ Flores of Milpa, who is known for using sustainable heirloom corn masa and embracing traditional agricultural methods at his neighborhood Mexican cafe, Eleazar Villanueva of Joël Robuchon and pizza maker Michael Vakneen of Double Zero Pie & Pub.
Of course, Vakneen is no stranger to awards. His restaurant was named one of the best pizzerias in America, notching a spot on the 50 Top Pizza list last year.
James Beard finalists will be chosen on April 2 and the winners will be announced at an event in Chicago on June 16. Here again are the semifinalists in Las Vegas.
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
Cristie Norman, Delilah
Best Chef: Southwest
DJ Flores, Milpa
Sarah Thompson, Casa Playa
Michael Vakneen, Double Zero Pie & Pub
Eleazar Villanueva, Joël Robuchon