Four Houston restaurants and chefs have made a significant splash by landing spots on the prestigious list of James Beard Awards finalists in both statewide and national categories. This announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a notable moment in the culinary world, often referred to as the Oscars of the food industry. The finalists representing Houston this year are:
Best New Restaurant: Ema Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: March Best Chef Texas: Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast Best Chef Texas: Emmanuel Chavez of TatemóIn 2024, Chef Emmanuel Chavez proudly represented Space City as the sole finalist from a competitive pool of nearly a dozen semifinalists. This year's group of local finalists underscores Houston's ongoing ascent within the national dining scene. Each of these talented chefs and innovative restaurants has recently received accolades, including placements on various prestigious best-of lists and recognition in the inaugural Texas edition of the Michelin Guide.
This marks the third consecutive year that Chef Chavez of Tatemó has advanced to the final round of the James Beard Awards. His intimate restaurant, which offers a unique Mexican-inspired tasting menu for around a dozen guests per seating, was previously nominated for the 2023 Best New Restaurant award. Last year, Chavez was also in contention for Best Chef Texas, a title that was ultimately awarded to Ana Liz Pulida of Ana Liz Taqueria in Mission, Texas.
The strength of Houston’s culinary landscape this year is notably supported by the contributions of various Hispanic chefs, including Chavez. Ema, a vibrant all-day café that opened its brick-and-mortar location just one year ago, continues to garner national praise. One of the partners at Ema, Stephanie Velasquez, was recognized as a 2024 semifinalist in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category. Her partner, Nicolas Vera, manages the savory dishes, while Marlén Mendoza leads the coffee program.
On weekends, locals frequently line up for Ema’s delightful offerings, which include conchas, carrot tacos, and café de olla. The New York Times even highlighted Velasquez's berlinesa—a sugar-dusted doughnut filled with horchata-flavored custard—as one of the best dishes they experienced last year.
Further north in Spring, Chef Thomas Bille's restaurant, Belly of the Beast, is gaining recognition for its inventive menu that merges international flavors with traditional Mexican recipes. Signature dishes include saag paneer with spinach mole verde and street corn-filled pastas. In its debut year, Belly of the Beast earned a place on the Chronicle's 2024 Top 100 guide.
Among the finalists, March stands out for its extensive resources. As part of Goodnight Hospitality, which is known for its seemingly limitless budget, March features a dining room adorned with artwork, vintage glassware, and hand-painted French Champagne buckets. Master Sommelier June Rodil, one of the partners, curates March's impressive wine collection, boasting over 10,000 bottles.
The James Beard Foundation has also announced its list of 2025 semifinalist nominees, which includes 12 nominations for Houston, surpassing last year’s count by one. Notable semifinalists who did not advance to finalist status include Suu Khin of Burmalicious, Ben Eli and Itamar Levy of Sof Hospitality Group, and several others.
Beyond the Best Chef Texas category, other Lone Star State finalists include RJ Yoakum of Georgie in Dallas for Emerging Chef, Mābo in Dallas for Best New Restaurant, and Starship Bagel in Dallas and Lewisville for Outstanding Bakery, among others.
Founded in 1986, the James Beard Foundation honors the legacy of James Beard, a revered figure in the culinary world known for his early television appearances and numerous cookbooks. The awards were established in 1990 to celebrate excellence in the culinary arts and to shine a spotlight on America’s vibrant food community. In recent years, the foundation has worked to make its awards process more inclusive and transparent.
The winners of this year’s prestigious awards will be revealed at a ceremony scheduled for June 16 in Chicago, as Houston continues to gain recognition on the national stage for its exceptional dining experiences.
