Oklahoma’s culinary scene is once again shining with today’s announcement from the James Beard Foundation of the Semifinalists for the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards.
More: Oklahoma City chef gets second James Beard award finalist nod
With five semifinalists for Best Chef: Southwest and another six semifinalists throughout other categories in the list, 2025 is one of Oklahoma’s strongest overall showings.
From classic French cuisine to an exceptional wine program, and a Korean steakhouse to a first-class bakery and beyond, here are Oklahoma’s semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Foundation Chef and Restaurant Awards.
The 2024 James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago. Image by Eliesa Johnson
Best Chef : Southwest
Oklahoma’s five nominees for Best Chef: Southwest all helm restaurants in the OKC metro area this year.
Olivier Bouzerand brings classical French cooking to the party at Fait Maison in Edmond. While Tahnee Francis of Naija Wife Kitchen in Oklahoma City brings inspiring new flavors to the city with Nigerian recipes.
Chef Kevin Lee is pictured at Birdie’s in Oklahoma City, on Monday, April 22, 2024.
They are joined by nominee Kevin Lee of Birdie’s by Chef Kevin Lee in Edmond, the city’s resident food network darling, a regular competitor on the network, with appearances across multiple shows.
“It was definitely surprising. I wasn’t expecting it,” said Lee Wednesday. “I’m grateful for it, I’m excited for our team with the nomination. But I’ve just been doing what I’ve been doing my whole career. Just really work and kind of let everything happen.”
Lee said that, much like his now frequent television competition appearances were never the plan, neither was a James Beard nomination or award.
“I think something clicked once I started my own place with my own food,” he said. “I think I just finally hit a point in my career — I’m just very happy with what I’m doing, with the type of food I’m cooking — and I’m excited to share my culture with Oklahoma city.”
Chef Eric Smith is pictured at The Crown in Oklahoma City, on Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Fellow Coach House apprentice and chef-owner of The Crown in OKC, Eric Smith, also snagged a semifinalist nomination for 2025.
“I’m [expletive] thrilled, appreciative,” Smith said in a call Wednesday.
Smith said the between his wife, Malia, who he called “unparalleled,” and son, Quinn, and his staff at the restaurant, he’s lucky to have the support he does.
“My team of guys, Michael, Beau, Dylan, and Dallas relentlessly believed in me and it hasn’t always been easy. I am grateful for that,” he said.
The final Best Chef: Southwest semifinalist is OKC’s Zack Walters of Sedalia’s. Walters and his wife began their journey with their humble, but exceptional seafood restaurant with a bang, earning early notice from the likes of Bon Appetit — named a best new restaurant in 2023 — and The New York Times, and continuing to impress ever since.
“It has been a busy start of the year in our little Oyster & Seafood Restaurant. Today the sun feels a little brighter, feels a little warmer, we feel so honored to be among the Semi-Finalists this year for the @beardfoundation awards for best Chef Southwest,” the restaurant posted to it’s Instagram. “Congratulations to our entire team, to our fellow nominees & their teams, and to our State, for having so much representation in almost every Category this year!”
Outstanding Restaurateur
McNellie’s Pub is one of several restaurants owned by the McNellie’s group in OKC and Tulsa. The Oklahoman File
Elliot Nelson of McNellie’s Group, operators of McNellie’s and other restaurants, in Tulsa and OKC.
“This journey has been long, full of challenges, growth, and countless moments of perseverance. None of this would be possible without our incredible team — every employee has poured their heart and soul into what we do, and they are the true foundation of our success,” McNellie’s Group wrote on its Instagram. “This recognition belongs to all of you, and we are so excited for the future we are building together. Thank you for believing in us and for making this dream possible!”
Nelson said on Instagram that he “never saw this one coming,” in regard to the nomination and is fortunate to get to work with his team daily to try and “make our community better one restaurant, one meal at a time.”
Outstanding Chef
A 2023 semifinalist for Best Chef: Southwest, Lisa Becklund of FarmBar in Tulsa takes a step up to a semifinalist nomination for Outstanding Chef in 2025. The nominees in this category are recognized as having set “high culinary standards” and serving as “a positive example for other food professionals.”
Becklund easily fits the bill as the purveyor of Living Kitchen Farm, FarmBar, and il seme, all in the Tulsa area.
Nonesuch – 803 N Hudson Ave in Midtown OKC.
Outstanding Restaurant
Following the 2024 Outstanding Restauranteur victory of owners Kelly and Erika Whitaker for their Colorado-based outlet Id Est Hospitality and with changes made to allow the team to more fully embrace its already existent wealth of talent, tap into having more fun and increase its approachability, OKC’s Nonesuch earned a semifinalist nomination for Outstanding Restaurant for 2025.
“Having it be something that recognizes the entire team is paramount, I think,” said Operating Partner Chad Luman in a call Wednesday. “We’re all really kind of buzzing.”
Luman said being part of Id Est Hospitality feels like a natural fit, and he’s thankful for that because it’s lent itself to an easy transition as the restaurant changed hands and roles were redefined.
“Everyone’s here for the right reasons and I think that’s why we’re in the place that we are right now,” he said.
Best New Restaurant
The Best New Restaurant semifinalist for Oklahoma is Noche in Tulsa. Restaurants nominated for this award opened between Oct. 1, 2023 and Sept. 30, 2024, and in addition to excellence in cuisine, atmosphere, hospitality and operations, “seem likely to make a significant impact in years to come.”
Noche is a wood-fired grill in Tulsa’s Greenwood District offering a distinct take on Mexican cuisine.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
The Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker semifinalists “demonstrates exceptional skills” in making desserts, pastries or breads and “can be affiliated with any food business and does not need a brick-and mortar presence.”
Oklahoma’s semifinalist is Cat Cox of Country Bird Bakery in Tulsa, which the New York Times named one of the 22 Best Bakeries Across America in 2024.
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
This award highlights “a service professional who curates and serves wine, beer, or other offerings such as sake, low- and non-alcoholic beverages in a restaurant or bar setting; or winery, distillery or brewery that also serves food. Candidate has set high standards; demonstrates creativity and consistency in excellence, innovation, hospitality; is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture; and has served as an exceptional example or mentor for other beverage professionals.”
Ian Bennett of The Study in Oklahoma City, is Oklahoma’s semifinalist. The Study is a cozy, but sophisticated wine bar in OKC’s Film Row district and Bennett is the bar’s general manager and one of its founders.
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: James Beard Awards: See semifinalist restaurants, chefs from Oklahoma
