Here Are Las Vegas’s 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists | Eater Vegas

"Chef Michael Vakneen was named a 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards semifinalist in the restaurant and chef categories; the semifinalists list was announced on January 22, 2025. The initial list will be trimmed to nominees on April 3, 2025, before winners are announced on June 16 at the awards ceremony in Chicago. The James Beard Awards carry significant prestige in the culinary world, with a history dating to first awards in 1991; the program paused in 2020 and 2021 due to allegations of misbehavior and concerns over lack of Black nominees and winners, subsequently undertaking an internal audit to improve inclusivity and returning in 2022." - Rebecca Roland