10 Michigan restaurants nominated for Super Bowl of food awards: James Beard

10 Michigan restaurants and chefs have just received nominations for the biggest accolades possible in the food industry.

They are semifinalists for the Super Bowl of food awards: James Beard, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary.

The nominations, which are listed below in their respective categories, include restaurants from Detroit, Traverse City, Ann Arbor, Saugatuck and other places in Michigan.

Finalists will be announced on Wednesday, April 2 with the winners being revealed at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

One Michigan chef took home a James Beard Award in 2024, Hajime Sato of Sozai Restaurant in Clawson in Metro Detroit in the Best Chef: Great Lakes category. Baobab Fare of Detroit was also a finalist last year.

2025 SEMIFINALISTS FROM MICHIGAN

Outstanding Restaurant:

Best New Restaurant:

Outstanding Bakery:

Outstanding Hospitality:

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program:

Best Chef: Great Lakes Region:

• Javier Bardauil, Barda, Detroit
• Jennifer Blakeslee and Eric Patterson, The Cooks’ House, Traverse City
• Missy Corey, Pennyroyal Cafe and Provisions, Saugatuck
• Ji Hye Kim, Miss Kim, Ann Arbor
• John Yelinek, Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit