Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
LA and OC restaurants announced as semifinalists in the James Beard Awards
Alex Garcia, along with his wife and business partner Elvia Garcia, of Evil Cooks in El Sereno, have been named semi-finalists for Best Chef in California for the second year in a row.
(
Brian Feinzimer
/
LAist
)
Topline:
Topline: The James Beard Awards announced their list of semifinalists Wednesday morning for Los Angeles and Orange counties. The list includes nine chefs for the Best Chef in California in addition to the national categories, such as outstanding and emerging chefs, restaurateurs, and outstanding bars.
The semifinalists
(Drum roll please…..)
Support for LAist comes from
National categories:
Best new restaurant: Bridgetown Roti in East Hollywood
Best Bar: Thunderbolt in Historic Filipinotown
Outstanding Chef: Gilberto Cetina at Holbox in Historic South-Central
Outstanding Restaurant: Pasjoli in Santa Monica
Best Hospitality: Republique in Mid-City
Emerging Chef: Jesus "Chuy" Cervantes at Damian in the Arts District.
Best Chef California:
Charles Namba at Camélia in the Arts District
Kwang Uh at Baroo in the Arts District
Jon Yao at Kato in DTLA
Daniel Castillo at Heritage Barbeque in San Juan Capistrano
Melissa López at Barra Santos in Cypress Park
Danielle Duran Zecca at Amiga Amore in Highland Park
Evan Algorri at Ètra in Melrose Hill
Alex and Elvia Garcia at Evil Cooks in El Sereno
Second time is the charm:
Best Bakery: Gusto Bakery in Long Beach (finalist in 2024)
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Bakery: Nicole Rucker for Fat + Flour
Best Chefs California: Evil Cooks
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverage program: Strong Water Tavern in Anaheim.
Next step: From here, the list will be whittled down to the finalist list, unveiled on April 2, and winners will be announced on June 16 in Chicago. The complete list of semifinalists, including restaurants outside California, can be found on the James Beard Awards website.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Isolated showers can still hit the L.A. area until Friday as remnants from the tropical storm move out. -
First aspiring spectators must register online, then later in 2026 there will be a series of drawings. -
It's thanks to Tropical Storm Mario, so also be ready for heat and humidity, and possibly thunder and lightning. -
L.A. Mayor Karen Bass suspended a state law allowing duplexes, calling more housing unsafe. But in Altadena, L.A. County leaders say these projects could be key for rebuilding. -
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/5425437/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3897+0+0/resize/640x396!/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
L.A. County investigators have launched a probe into allegations about Va Lecia Adams Kellum and people she hired at the L.A. Homeless Services Authority. -
This measure on the Nov. 4, 2025, California ballot is part of a larger battle for control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year.
![A Black woman sits at a dais with a flag in the background. A name placard in front of her reads: Dr. Va Lecia Adams Kell[um].](https://scpr.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/45c201e/2147483647/strip/true/crop/6298x3894+0+0/resize/786x486!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fscpr-brightspot.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com%2F76%2F00%2Febed9a7a4fbd9e5ba12997e51d59%2Fgettyimages-1258669633.jpg)
Best of LAist