Another (frankly psychotic) analysis of the 2025 James Beard semifinalists. Plus, Opening Cafe Esca Part 3 with Luke Reyes and Reilly Cox.

After a dark start to the New Year, a little light at the end of the tunnel this week as 18 Los Angeles chefs, bars and restaurants were named James Beard semifinalists. With Angelenos earning spots in the categories of Outstanding Chef, Outstanding Restaurant and Best Chef: California, Father Sal is with us today for one of our trademark, frankly psychotic dissections of what it all means. We attempt to answer questions like, is this a downward or upward trending year for LA? What are Angelenos’ chances of turning their semifinalist nods into actual victories? Which restaurants most surprised us by earning a spot, and which snubs left us scratching our head?

We also discuss a great article by the LA Times’ Jenn Harris on LA chefs’ wishlist for 2025, and after the break we’re joined by friends of the pod Luke Reyes and Reilly Cox for Part 3 of our Opening Cafe Esca series. As a reminder, this is our series in which we’re accompanying Luke and Reilly in their journey to open up an ambitious new coastal Italian restaurant in the Arts District this Spring. In this conversation, Luke and Reilly talk to us about bringing their ambitious design concept to life. 

Feat. discussion of restaurants and chefs including Etra, Amiga Amore, Heritage BBQ, Evil Cooks, Barra Santos, Camelia, Baroo, Kato, Holbox, Gilberto Cetina, Chuy Cervantes, Damian, Bridgetown Roti, Poncho’s Tlayudas, Kuya Lord, Suzanne Goin, Capri Club, Franceco Allegro, The Arroyo Club, La Morra Pizzeria, Marino, and more. 

Helpful Links

The 2025 James Beard Semifinalists https://www.jamesbeard.org/blog/the-2025-james-beard-award-semifinalists

Jenn Harris’ piece on LA chefs’ wishlist https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2025-01-21/restaurant-2025-wish-list-los-angeles-chef-restaurateurs

Opening Cafe Esca Part 1 https://open.spotify.com/episode/19HDiV4o0i2dP9ZZ7B7E9B

Opening Cafe Esca Part 2 https://open.spotify.com/episode/7DoKDMtS74ngrVzjBBkzXI

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