Rhode Islander Wins a Top James Beard Award UPDATED

Rhode Islander Wins a Top James Beard Award UPDATED

On Monday night, the James Beard Foundation handed out awards, and one Rhode Islander scored a top award.

Sky Haneul Kim of Gift Horse in Providence won the award for Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT).

Rhode Island was well represented in the Finalist category announced on April 2, but Monday night in Chicago, the grand prizes were awarded.

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“It’s with deep celebration that we congratulate the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award winners— distinguished culinary, beverage, and hospitality leaders whose talent and vision are shaping our dining landscape,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO, James Beard Foundation. “These outstanding professionals are the epitome of Good Food for Good®, elevating our industry’s standards and redefining what’s possible in American cuisine.” 

“Tonight, we toast this year’s exceptional Restaurant and Chef Award winners,” said Dawn Padmore, VP of Awards, James Beard Foundation. “We’re also proud to welcome our first winners in the new beverage categories and celebrate their invaluable contributions to our industry. I also extend my thanks to our subcommittee members and judges, whose dedication and thoughtful work makes these Awards possible.” 

Considered to be one of the nation’s most prestigious honors, the James Beard Awards recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive. This year marks 35 years of the Awards, with the ceremonies commemorating the transformative role the Awards have played in recognizing culinary excellence and shaping the evolution of American food culture. 

This story was first published 6/16/25 10:23 PM and updated 6/17/25 at 6:21 AM

 

SEE THE APRIL 2 FINALISTS BELOW:

Here are the Rhode Islanders and their respective categories and the other finalists:

 

Outstanding Restaurant

Coquine, Portland, OR

Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, CO

Galit, Chicago, IL

Nonesuch, Oklahoma City, OK

Oberlin, Providence, RI

 

 

Emerging Chef

Kaitlin Guerin, Lagniappe Bakehouse, New Orleans, LA

Phila Lorn, Mawn, Philadelphia, PA

Nikhil Naiker, NIMKI, Providence, RI

Jane Sacro Chatham, Vicia, St. Louis, MO

RJ Yoakum, Georgie, Dallas, TX

 

Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

Avery Buck, May Day, Burlington, VT

Sky Haneul Kim, Gift Horse, Providence, RI

Brian Lewis, The Cottage, Westport, CT

Erin Miller, Urban Hearth, Cambridge, MA

Derek Wagner, Nicks on Broadway, Providence, RI