Drum roll, please. The moment Houston food lovers, chefs, and hospitality workers have been waiting for is here: the reveal of who made it as a James Beard Award finalist. And let’s just say Houston sweeped—finally!—with four nominees on the list: Tatemó, Belly in the Beast, Ema, and March.

Best New Restaurant nominee Ema opened its brick-and-mortar last year in the Heights after much success as a pop-up at Urban Harvest Market and some other spots around town. With its vast pastry and coffee program and savory menu, it’s since garnered even more love from Houstonians, and we’re so happy to know that the James Beard Foundation recognizes it, too. Here’s hoping it wins the category.

Goodnight Hospitality’s March keeps on bringing in more recognition. The restaurant, which changes its tasting menu twice a year, just earned a Michelin star in November, and now it’s a finalist for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. Given the extent of the research that goes on behind the scenes and the breadth of the drinks list, we’re not surprised.

Once again, Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó—which also now has a Michelin star for its Mexican heirloom corn–focused tasting menu—is a finalist for Best Chef: Texas. Last year, he was the only Houston chef to make the finalist round, but he’s now joined by Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast in Spring, who also offers an excellent Mexican food experience.

This prestigious recognition, better known as the “Oscars of food,” finds the best of the best throughout our country’s culinary community. This year is particularly special, as it marks the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards. They were first established in 1990, with the inaugural in-person ceremony following the year after. America’s first “foodie,” James Beard, rose to culinary fame after the success of several cookbooks, his stint as the host for the country’s first food program, and the establishment of the James Beard Cooking school.

In past years, several Houstonians have been recognized for their work by these awards. In 2024, Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó advanced to the nominee round for Best Chef: Texas, but he ultimately fell short of an award. The previous year, chef Benchawan Jabthong Painter, the owner of Thai restaurant Street to Kitchen, was the first Houston-based chef to win the newly created Best Chef: Texas category (the state fell under Best Chef: Southwest before 2020).

Alba Huerta of Julep also made headlines in 2022 with her historic win for Outstanding Bar Program—Houston’s first award in the national category. And beloved Houstonians Hugo Ortega and Chris Shepherd have both taken home the Best Chef: Southwest award in years past.

The 2025 semifinalist list generated buzz in January when seven Houston restaurants were announced in national categories and six chefs for Best Chef: Texas. Notable mentions who did not advance include Suu Khin of Burmalicious for Emerging Chef and Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of Jun for Best Chef: Texas.

The anticipation is almost too much, but thankfully, the wait for the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award winners is almost over. They will be announced at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on June 16. In the meantime, let’s celebrate how far our Houston chefs and restaurants have come—and here’s to hoping for more wins.

Editor’s note: Some SagaCity Media staff members serve as James Beard Award judges and committee members.