JWU Alumni Dominate 2025 James Beard Nominations

Each year, the prestigious James Beard Awards recognize the top talent in the culinary field. Known as “the Oscar’s of the food world,” these coveted awards are given to the country’s best restaurateurs, chefs, bakers and food media professionals.

Johnson & Wales is always well represented among the nominees, and this year was no exception. We had an impressive 17 alumni nominated as semifinalists, with six of them moving on as finalists and one announced as a winner at the awards ceremony on June 16. Sky Haneul Kim ’14 took home the award in the Best Chef: Northeast category for her incredible work at Gift Horse in Providence, RI.

We’re so proud of all our talented alumni for being recognized and celebrated as top players in the culinary realm — check out the full list of nominees!

Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton

• Finalist: Cassie Piuma ’02, Sarma, Somerville, MA
• Semifinalist: Carlos Portela ’98, Orujo Taller de Gastronomía, San Juan, PR

Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water

• Finalist: Oberlin, Providence, RI
  Benajmin Sukle ’08, Owner/Restaurateur

Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water

• Semifinalist: Danny Garcia ’14, Time & Tide, New York, NY

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Outstanding Hospitality presented by American Airlines

• Semifinalist: Persimmon, Providence, RI
  Champe Speidel ’00, ’16 Hon., Chef and Co-Proprietor

Outstanding Bar

• Semifinalist: Café La Trova, Miami, FL
  Michelle Bernstein ’94, ’03 Hon., Executive Chef

Best Chef: Mountain

• Semifinalist: Erasmo Casiano ’07, Lucina Eatery & Bar, Denver, CO
• Semifinalist: Diego Coconati ’00, Lucina Eatery & Bar, Denver, CO

Best Chef: Northeast

• WINNER: Sky Haneul Kim ’14, Gift Horse, Providence, RI
• Finalist: Derek Wagner ’99, ’19 Hon., Nicks on Broadway, Providence, RI
• Semifinalist: Robert Andreozzi ’12, Pizza Marvin, Providence, RI

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Best Chef: South

• Finalist: Angel David Moreno Zayas ’04, El Gallo Pinto, Guayama, PR

Best Chef: Southeast

• Finalist: Sara Bradley ’07, Freight House, Paducah, KY
• Semifinalist: Chayil Johnson ’18, Community Matters Cafe, Charlotte, NC

Outstanding Restaurateur             

• Semifinalist: Brian Jupiter ’03, Pioneer Tavern Group, Chicago, IL
  (nominated with partners Mark Domitrovich and Aaron Torricelli)

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

• Semifinalist: Lucia Merino ’09, Lucia Patisserie, San Juan, PR
• Semifinalist: Leigh Omilinsky ’06, Daisies, Chicago, IL

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