Orlando Restaurants Receive James Beard Award Nominations

The Orlando culinary scene shines bright with recent nominations.

News Summary

Orlando’s culinary scene is gaining national recognition as two local restaurants have been nominated for the 2025 James Beard Awards. Jason and Sue Chin of Good Salt Restaurant Group and Chef Ryan Ratino of Omo by Jont are the finalists, bringing hope to a city that has never seen a winner at these prestigious awards. The ceremony will take place on June 16, 2025, celebrating the advancements in the local dining culture and spotlighting the immense talent within Orlando’s restaurant community.

Orlando Restaurants Shine Bright with James Beard Award Nominations!

Exciting news is coming straight out of Orlando! This vibrant culinary capital is making waves as two of its beloved restaurants have been nominated for the prestigious 2025 James Beard Awards. These nominations bring hope and pride to the Orlando dining scene, as it has never had a winner in the awards’ history. Let’s take a closer look at what this means for our local foodie haven!

A Great Step Forward

The James Beard Foundation has announced that both Jason and Sue Chin of the Good Salt Restaurant Group and Chef Ryan Ratino of Omo by Jont, a delightful chef’s table located in Winter Park, have reached the finals. The Chins are vying for the coveted title of Outstanding Restaurateur, while Chef Ratino’s incredible establishment is a finalist for Best New Restaurant.

Orlando may have only seen its best culinary talent inching closer to victory in recent years, making progress in both 2023 and 2024 with a single finalist each year. In 2023, it was chef Henry Moso who made it to the finals, and in 2024, Kaya for the Best New Restaurant award. Now, the stakes are even higher for 2025!

A Personal Connection

Chef Ryan Ratino’s journey to this moment is heartwarming. He fondly recalls dining at Luma when he was just 20, dreaming of one day owning a restaurant of his own on Park Avenue. Now, that dream has certainly come to life! He expressed his excitement about being part of the Orlando dining community, indicating a sense of pride and excitement for the culinary culture of the area.

Upcoming Ceremony Details

Mark your calendars! The winners of the 2025 James Beard Awards will be unveiled on June 16, 2025, in Chicago, during a grand ceremony that marks the 35th anniversary of these prestigious awards. Fans of delicious food can get in on the action, too! Tickets for the awards ceremony are available for purchase online, and if you prefer to watch from the comfort of your home, you can even stream it live on Eater.

A Salute to Local Talent

In addition to the finalists, the Orlando area boasts other noteworthy semifinalists this year, such as Yohann Le Bescond for Outstanding Pastry/Chef Baker, Lordfer Lalicon from Kaya, and Sean “Sonny” Nguyen from Domu, who are both nominees in the Best Chef: South category. It’s exciting times for chefs and diners alike in our beautiful city – truly a testament to the growing culinary talent found in Orlando!

Chef’s Humorous Thoughts

During a recent memorable moment, Jason Chin learned about their finalist status while busily opening a new restaurant named Sparrow. In a lighthearted tone, he shared a humorous thought about needing to dust off his tuxedo, admitting he hasn’t worn one since his wedding and joking about how he should get ready for the awards ceremony ahead!

Omo’s Triumph

To add to the excitement, Omo was also named Best New Restaurant at the 2025 Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards, sealing its place as a standout in the local culinary scene. With all this recognition, Orlando’s reputation continues to grow, and food lovers are eagerly watching to see how the city garners attention on a national stage.

Final Thoughts

There’s no doubt that the upcoming James Beard Awards will be a moment of celebration for Orlando’s culinary scene. The advancements made by local restaurants highlight not only the talents of chefs and restaurateurs but also the vibrant dining culture our city has nurtured. Whether you’re a proud Orlando resident or a visiting foodie, it’s time to raise a glass to success as our brilliant local talent gets recognized on such a significant platform. Cheers to Orlando for stepping closer to breaking the James Beard award barrier!