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4 Vegas chefs named James Beard Awards semifinalists

Chef DJ Flores of Milpa in Las Vegas has been named a semifinalist in the Best Chef: Southwest ...
Chef DJ Flores of Milpa in Las Vegas has been named a semifinalist in the Best Chef: Southwest category in the 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards. (Las Vegas Review-Journal file)
Michael Vakneen of Double Zero Pie & Pub was named a semifinalist Wednesday in the 2025 James B ...
Michael Vakneen of Double Zero Pie & Pub was named a semifinalist Wednesday in the 2025 James Beard Awards' Best Chef: Southwest category. (Las Vegas Review-Journal file)
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Las Vegas Review-Journal
January 22, 2025 - 7:46 am
 
Updated January 22, 2025 - 11:05 am

Four Las Vegas chefs have been named semifinalists in the 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards, the nation’s most prestigious culinary recognition, one often called the Oscars of the food world. The foundation announced its Restaurant and Chef semifinalists Wednesday.

Earning nominations in the Best Chef: Southwest category, a region that includes Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico and Oklahoma, were DJ Flores of Milpa, Sarah Thompson from Casa Playa, Michael Vakneen of Double Zero Pie & Pub and Eleazar Villanueva from Restaurant de Joël Robuchon at the MGM Grand. Flores was also a semifinalist last year.

Related: The Top 100 Restaurants in Las Vegas

Also recognized was Cristie Norman of Delilah at Wynn Las Vegas, a semifinalist for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service. This is a new category for service professionals who curate and serve wine, beer and cocktails in a restaurant or bar setting.

Finalists in all restaurant and chef categories will be announced April 2. Winners will be revealed at a ceremony June 16 in Chicago. For a full list of 2024 semifinalists, visit here.

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