Yotaka Martin of Lom Wong restaurant in downtown Phoenix has won her first James Beard Award for Best Chef — Southwest.

Martin grew up cooking alongside her mother in Thailand. Since 2022, she has shared her family and hometown recipes as the chef at Lom Wong.

The 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards were announced on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Winning a Beard Award is one of the highest honors a chef or restaurant can receive. It is basically the Oscars of the food industry. Fifteen Arizonans were semifinalists in 2025; two made it to the final round .

Martin walked onstage with her husband, Alex, who works with her at Lom Wong. She said it felt strange to have just her name on the award, since her husband and team make every day possible at the restaurant.

In her acceptance speech, Martin mentioned the small Thai village of San Maket, Chiang Rai, where she grew up. She said she had never heard of the James Beard Awards until she was nominated for one.

"Lom Wong is a reflection of our love for each other and our family," Martin said. "Our son has grown up in our restaurant, and our daughter will, too."

Alex Martin translated for his wife during an interview with The Arizona Republic.

"There's a lot about Thai food that people do not know. So why don't we give them the chance to know it?" Martin told The Republic.

"We don't want to have to cook the type of food that Americans might assume we should be cooking. We want to be able to cook the stuff that the people that we have spent so much time with in Thailand, the type of food that they're proud of."

The couple joked that after the awards, they planned to celebrate with a duet performance of "Twisted" by Keith Sweat at karaoke.

This is the second year in a row that an Arizonan has won Best Chef — Southwest. Rene Andrade , owner and chef of Bacanora and Huarachis in Phoenix, took home the James Beard Award for Best Chef — Southwest in 2024.

Arizona’s James Beard Award 2025 finalists

Two Arizonans were finalists for the 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards. The nominations were announced on Wednesday, April 2.

Crystal Kass of Valentine was nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. It is Kass's second consecutive year in the running, after she made history in 2024 as the first Arizona pastry chef to be nominated for a James Beard Award.

Yotaka Martin of Lom Wong was a finalist for Best Chef — Southwest. She opened Lom Wong in Phoenix in 2022 alongside her husband, Alex Martin. The restaurant specializes in regional Thai cuisine.

Arizona's James Beard Award 2025 semifinalists

Fifteen Arizona chefs and restaurants were named semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards, including nominations for Best Chef — Southwest, Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker and Emerging Chef. The nominations were announced on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Amelia's Mexican Kitchen

Jose Contreras of Amelia's Mexican Kitchen in Tucson was nominated for Best Chef — Southwest. Chef and owner Contreras named the restaurant after his grandmother, Amelia, whose recipes are still served in the restaurant today.

Details : 5851 N. Oracle Road, Tucson. 520-335-9580, ameliastucson.com .

Beginner's Luck

Bernie Kantak of Beginner's Luck was nominated for Best Chef — Southwest. Kantak opened the restaurant in early 2024 in the former Piccolo Virtu space in Old Town Scottsdale, where he now offers brunch, dinner and "lucky hour."

Details : 7240 E. Main St., Suite C100, Scottsdale. 480-571-0416, beginnersluckaz.com .

Course

Cory Oppold of Course was nominated for Best Chef — Southwest, and Antonia Kane of Course was nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. (Kane now works at Essence Bakery Cafe in Phoenix.) Course was previously recognized as one of the Best New Restaurants of 2024 by Yelp .

Details : 7366 E. Shea Blvd., Suite 106, Scottsdale. 480-687-0491, courserestaurantaz.com .

The Larder & The Delta

Stephen Jones of The Larder & The Delta was nominated for Best Chef — Southwest. Jones was previously nominated for the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef in 2022 for his previous restaurant, The Larder + The Delta. The new iteration of Jones' restaurant presents Southern food in a fine dining atmosphere.

Details: 2320 E. Osborn Road, Phoenix. 602-388-4874, thelarderthedelta.com .

Lom Wong

Yotaka Martin of Lom Wong was nominated for Best Chef — Southwest. Yotaka opened Lom Wong in Phoenix in 2022 alongside her husband, Alex Martin. The restaurant specializes in regional Thai cuisine.

Details : 218 E. Portland St., Phoenix. 602-675-0522, lomwongaz.com .

Valentine

Donald Hawk of Valentine was nominated for Best Chef — Southwest and Crystal Kass of Valentine was nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. It is Kass' second consecutive year in the running, after she made history in 2024 as the first Arizona pastry chef to be nominated for a James Beard Award.

Hawk retired from his role of executive chef as of June 1 .

Details : 4130 N. Seventh Ave., Phoenix. 602-612-2961, valentinephx.com .

Chilte

Lawrence "LT" Smith of Chilte was nominated for Emerging Chef. Smith and his wife, Aseret Arroyo, opened Chilte in 2023 inside the historic Egyptian Motor Hotel. The restaurant was named one of the Best New Restaurants in America in 2023.

Details : 765 Grand Ave., Phoenix. 602-807-5226, chiltephx.com .

Carry On

Jax Donahue of Carry On was nominated for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. The airline-themed cocktail bar opened in 2024 inside Wren and Wolf. Donahue's previous work at Century Grand earned the bar the title of Best Bar in America in 2023.

Details : 2 N. Central Ave., Suite 101, Phoenix. carryonphx.com .

Santo Arcadia

Santo Arcadia was nominated for Best New Restaurant. Santo Arcadia was opened by previous James Beard Award semifinalists Roberto Centeno of Espiritu and Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin of Cocina Chiwas.

Details : Closed as of May 31 .

Patisserie Jacqui

Patisserie Jacqui in Bisbee was nominated for Outstanding Bakery. The tiny French-inspired bakery consists of a window for walk-up service every Thursday through Sunday in the heart of downtown Bisbee.

Details : 91 Main St., Bisbee. 520-508-6543, patisserie-jacqui.com .

Little Rituals

Little Rituals was nominated for Outstanding Bar. It is the bar's third time being named a semifinalist, after nominations in 2020 and 2024. The bar opened in downtown Phoenix in 2019 and was named one of the best cocktail destinations in the U.S. in 2022.

Details : 132 S. Central Ave., Phoenix. 602-603-2050, littleritualsbar.com .

Kai

Kai was nominated for Outstanding Hospitality. The restaurant offers a seven-course tasting menu from chef Drew Anderson. Located within the Gila River Indian Community, Kai specializes in Native American cuisine.

Details : 5594 W. Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Phoenix. 602-385-5777, kairestaurant.com .

Kid Sister

Kid Sister was nominated for Best New Bar. The European-inspired restaurant and wine bar opened in summer 2024 by sisters Casey and Courtney Lewandrowski and their best friend Dej Lambert.

Details : 4810 N. Seventh St., Phoenix. 602-633-9559, kidsisterphx.com .

Arizona James Beard Award winners

Fifteen Arizona chefs and restaurants have earned James Beard Awards, as have three journalists and authors. Here are all the Arizonans who have won James Beard Awards.

Rene Andrade

Rene Andrade, owner and chef of Bacanora and Huarachis , took home the James Beard Award for Best Chef — Southwest in 2024.

Chris Bianco

Chris Bianco, owner of Pizzeria Bianco , Pane Bianco and Tratto , won his first James Beard Award for Best Chef — Southwest in 2003. He later also took home the title of Outstanding Restaurateur in 2022.

Don Guerra

Another Arizonan also won a James Beard Award in 2022. Don Guerra, famous for Barrio Bakery in Tucson, earned the title of Outstanding Baker in 2022.

Charleen Badman

Charleen Badman, chef and co-owner of FnB in Scottsdale, took home the title of Best Chef — Southwest in 2019.

Nobuo Fukuda

Nobuo Fukuda won the award for Best Chef — Southwest in 2007 while working at his Scottsdale restaurant Sea Saw, which closed in 2009. Fukuda currently works at Hai Noon in Scottsdale .

Bradford Thompson

Bradford Thompson won Best Chef — Southwest in 2006 while working at Mary Elaine's at The Phoenician .

Robert McGrath

Robert McGrath earned the title of Best Chef — Southwest while working at Roaring Fork restaurant in 2001.

Janos Wilder

Janos Wilder of Janos restaurant in Tucson was named Best Chef — Southwest in 2000.

Roxsand Scocos

Roxsand Scocos won the James Beard Award for Best Chef — Southwest in 1999 for her now closed restaurant RoxSand at Biltmore Fashion Park.

Alessandro Stratta

Alessandro "Alex" Stratta won Best Chef — Southwest in 1998 for his work at Mary Elaine's at The Phoenician .

Christoper Gross

Christopher Gross won the award for Best Chef — Southwest in 1995 for his restaurants Christopher's and Christopher's Bistro . Gross is currently cooking at Christopher's at the Wrigley Mansion .

Vincent Guerithault,

Vincent Guerithault, owner of Vincent's on Camelback , was the first Arizonan to win a James Beard Award when he took home the regional title of Best Chef — Southwest in 1993.

El Guerro Canelo

El Guero Canelo in Tucson won an America's Classic distinction in 2018. The award is given to "locally owned restaurants that serve quality food, have a timeless appeal, and reflect the character of their communities."

The Fry Bread House

The Fry Bread House was the first Native American-owned restaurant to win the America's Classic award in 2012.

El Chorro Lodge

El Chorro Lodge was the first Arizona restaurant to win the America's Classic award in 2005.

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