2 Bentonville chefs named nominees for 2025 James Beard Award
by April 2, 2025 2:56 pm 2,629 views
The James Beard Foundation announced Wednesday (April 2) the 2025 James Beard Awards nominees, and the shortlist includes two Bentonville chefs.
Matthew Cooper of Bentonville-based Conifer and Rafael Rios of Bentonville-based Yeyo’s El Alma de Mexico are nominees for the Best Chef: South category of the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards.
In January, the James Beard Foundation named Cooper, Rios and Jordan Wright of Johnson-based Wright’s Barbecue as the Arkansas semifinalists.
The James Beard Awards, which have over 70 categories, recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries and are considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors, according to a news release. This year marks the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards.
Cooper and Rios are two of the five nominees in their category. Most categories have five nominees. Best New Restaurant has 10 nominees. Winners will be recognized on June 16 at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
“Today, we are thrilled to announce the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award nominees and Achievement Award honorees — including our first Impact Award recipients,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of James Beard Foundation. “These remarkable leaders exemplify our ‘Good Food for Good’ mission through their commitment to excellence, to the evolution of the independent restaurant industry, and our broader food culture. We look forward to celebrating everyone at the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards in June.”
Link here for the nominees.