The Dallas-Fort Worth region faced another disappointment at the James Beard Awards in 2025, as none of its five nominated chefs or restaurants clinched a win in their respective categories.
Since 1994, the region has been waiting for a chef from Dallas-Fort Worth to take home the accolade for Best Chef, and this year continued that trend, leaving local culinary talents without recognition in competitive categories.
However, it wasn’t all somber for Dallas on the night of the awards, as chef Chad Houser from Cafe Momentum was honored with the Humanitarian of the Year award for his remarkable efforts in helping at-risk youth through his restaurant.
In an interview before the ceremony, Houser expressed his commitment to helping young people, stating, “For me, it’s all about chances.” He emphasized the importance of providing numerous opportunities to those in need.
While the competitive awards did not favor North Texas, chefs like Oren Salomon of Starship Bagel took pride in their roots, stating, “With or without recognition, I love serving where I’m from and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
Dallas had a total of five nominations at the 2025 James Beard Awards, in addition to the noncompetitive Humanitarian of the Year honor.
Here’s a recap of the nominated chefs and restaurants from the area:
Chad Houser of Cafe Momentum.
**Winner, Humanitarian of the Year**
Houser launched Cafe Momentum with the goal of transforming the lives of teenagers at risk of incarceration.
Over the past decade, the initiative has helped more than 1,200 young people gain skills in cooking and customer service, alongside essential life skills education.
Thanks to support from The Meadows Foundation, Cafe Momentum is set to relocate to a larger facility in 2026 and has already begun expanding its mission to other cities, including Pittsburgh, Atlanta, and Denver.
While accepting his award, Houser affirmed the pivotal role of the restaurant industry in communities, stating, “Our industry is an integral part of every single community across the country.”
He poignantly reminded the audience of the 60,000 children incarcerated in the U.S., saying, “We see you, we’re ready for you, we’re here for you.”
**RJ Yoakum, formerly of Georgie**
**Nominee, Emerging Chef**
Yoakum’s innovative menu inspired at Georgie earned it a Recommended rating from Michelin in 2024.
However, days before the ceremony, he was suddenly removed from his role as executive chef at Georgie, with the restaurant owner providing no clarification about the decision while Yoakum has chosen to remain silent on the matter.
**Regino Rojas of Purépecha in Dallas**
**Nominee, Best Chef: Texas**
Chef Rojas has established an impressive record as a seven-time semifinalist for the Best Chef award, a testament to his culinary talent at establishments like Purépecha and Revolver Taco Lounge in Deep Ellum.
His work with tacos, particularly the featured pulpo taco on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles, has drawn significant attention, with local recognition marking Purépecha as the best restaurant in Dallas.
Rojas was up against worthy nominees, including Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó in Houston and Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast in Spring, Texas, who ultimately took home the award.
**Mābo in Dallas**
**Nominee, Best New Restaurant**
The tiny yakitori omakase restaurant Mābo, which debuted in 2024, gained recognition for its unique dining experience.
Chef Masayuki Otaka serves meticulously prepared skewered meats and vegetables directly to diners, providing a high-end experience priced at $200 per person in the competitive Dallas dining arena.
Despite its significant upscale pricing, Mābo was not the evening’s winner, with the award going to Bûcheron in Minneapolis.
**Bar Colette in Dallas**
**Nominee, Best New Bar**
Bar Colette, nestled in the lively West Village shopping area, garnered attention for its adventurous cocktail offerings inspired by cities like London, Paris, and Mexico City.
Brothers Brandon and Henry Cohanim continue to innovate their food and cocktail menu, keeping the bar vibrant and engaging for patrons.
Despite the buzz surrounding the bar, it did not win, with Identidad Cocktail Bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico, taking home the award instead.
**Starship Bagel in Lewisville and Dallas**
**Nominee, Outstanding Bakery**
The North Texas-based Starship Bagel found itself in esteemed company at the James Beard Awards following its previous accolades at New York BagelFest.
As a finalist for Outstanding Bakery, its popularity has soared, expanding from Lewisville to multiple locations in downtown Dallas and further afield.
Despite the lack of wins at this year’s ceremony, the spirit of Dallas chefs remains strong.
Their resilience and commitment to culinary excellence continue to shine through, fueled by a passion for both their craft and the communities they serve.
As the culinary scene in Dallas-Fort Worth continues to grow, hopes remain high for future nominations and, ultimately, wins at the James Beard Awards.
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