"Ann Ahmed's Minneapolis restaurant made the so-called "long list" last year and has been under consideration in prior years. The James Beard Foundation announced its 2025 list of semifinalists on January 22, giving a nod to 10 Twin Cities restaurants and one in Saint Joseph, Minnesota — six of which were featured in national categories; for comparison, the city had seven semifinalists in 2024. The semifinalist list reflects the restaurant and chef categories: Outstanding Chef; Outstanding Restaurant; Best New Restaurant; Outstanding Hospitality; Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program; and Best Chef: Midwest. Finalists in these categories will be announced on April 2, and winners will be awarded at a Chicago opera house on Monday, June 16. Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards." - Emily Venezky