A Utah restaurateur, pastry chef, restaurant, bar and five chefs have all been named as semifinalists for 2025 in the James Beard Awards, which recognize exceptional talent in the food and beverage world.
Lavanya Mahate, owner of the Saffron Valley Indian restaurants, was nominated as one of the 20 national contenders in the Outstanding Restaurateur category, perhaps the James Beard Foundation’s top national award. Among Mahate’s accomplishments is establishing the RISE Culinary Institute, a training kitchen and program designed for refugees and new residents.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah entrepreneur Lavanya Mahate, owner and founder of Saffron Valley restaurants, has been named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Restaurateur category of the prestigious James Beard Awards, the James Beard Foundation announced on January 22, 2025.
Adalberto Diaz, whose confections can be tasted at Fillings & Emulsions bakeries, was nominated in the category of Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.
Manoli’s, the small-plates Greek restaurant at 402 E. 900 South owned by Manoli Katsanevas, was nominated in the category of Outstanding Hospitality.
(Trent Nelson | The Salt Lake Tribune) Manoli Katsanevas at Manoli's in Salt Lake City, seen here in 2023. Manoli's has been named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Hospitality category for the prestigious James Beard Awards, the James Beard Foundation announced on January 22, 2025.
Water Witch, at 163 W. 900 South, was nominated in the Outstanding Bar category; in 2022, it was a semifinalist for Outstanding Bar Program.
Five Utah chefs were included among the 20 regional semifinalists in the Best Chef: Mountain category, which covers Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming:
• Mike Blocher and Nick Fahs, Table X, 1457 E. 3350 South, Salt Lake City.
• Andrew Fuller, Oquirrh, 368 E 100 S, Salt Lake City.
• Matthew Harris, tupelo Park City, 1500 Kearns Blvd, Park City.
• Nick Zocco, Urban Hill, 510 S. 300 West, suite 100, Salt Lake City. In 2024, Zocco was named as a finalist in the same category.
The finalists — five in each category — will be announced April 2, and the winners will be announced June 16.
