Two Valley chefs are finalists for 2025 James Beard Awards, the restaurant industry’s equivalent of the Oscars.
Crystal Kass (left) of Southwest restaurant Valentine in Phoenix is one of five finalists for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. It’s the second straight year Kass has been a finalist.
Yotaka Martin of Thai restaurant Lom Wong in Phoenix is one of five finalists for Best Chef Southwest. Martin and her husband, Alex, opened their restaurant in 2022.
Arizona had 15 semifinalists announced in January.
Last year, Arizona had 12 semifinalists, including Bacanora chef Rene Andrade, who won Best Chef Southwest.
This year’s restaurant and chef winners will be announced June 16.
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