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!
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Additional Resources
- Orlando Sentinel
- Bungalower
- Orlando Weekly
- Visit Orlando Blog
- WFTV
- Wikipedia: James Beard Awards
- Google Search: James Beard Awards
- Google Scholar: James Beard Awards
- Encyclopedia Britannica: James Beard
- Google News: James Beard Awards
Author: STAFF HERE ORLANDO WRITER
ORLANDO STAFF WRITER The ORLANDO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOrlando.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Orlando, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Orlando International Fringe Theatre Festival, Megacon Orlando, and Central Florida Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Orlando Economic Partnership and Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Metro Orlando, plus leading businesses in leisure and hospitality that power the local economy such as Walt Disney World Resort, AdventHealth, and Universal Orlando. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
