ASHEVILLE – Two culinary experts from Western North Carolina were nominated at the esteemed award event often referred to as “the Oscars of the food industry.”
On June 16, the 35th annual James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards took place at the Lyric Opera in Chicago, honoring outstanding achievements throughout the country’s culinary sector.
Silver Iocovozzi, who serves as both the chef and co-owner at Neng Jr.’s in West Asheville, was nominated for Best Chef: Southeast. Nonetheless, the accolade ultimately went to Chef Jake Howell from Peninsula in Nashville.
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In April Franqueza from The Dining Room at High Hampton in Cashiers was nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. Although she didn’t secure the win, this recognition highlighted her talent.
shared with the Citizen Times in April
What considerations were important to her.
I appreciate the chance, and I’m hopeful that this will attract more visitors to the Western North Carolina region—allowing us to share our delicious cuisine and passion for great food with those eager to explore.
Franklin informed the Citizen Times
.
Nevertheless, another chef from Asheville is taking home a medal.
On June 14, Ashleigh Shanti, who runs the Good Hot Fish restaurant as both the chef and owner, was awarded a James Beard Media Award for her first published book.
Our Southern Roots: Black Cuisine as Seen Through My Eyes.
Asheville hosts James Beard Award recipients and their celebrated events.
The accolades at the James Beard Awards continue to accumulate for Asheville’s exceptional chefs.
In 2022, Chai Pani, which is an Indian street food restaurant, claimed victory as
Outstanding Restaurant
The award was received by them, along with Cúrate, a Spanish tapas bar, which claimed the Outstanding Hospitality prize.
In previous years, numerous additional chefs and eateries were taken into account, earning
semifinalist and finalist status
.
The semifinalists this year featured William Dissen, who helms both The Market Place as its chef and owner, nominated for Outstanding Chef, alongside Leo’s House of Thirst recognized for the Outstanding Wine and Beverage Program award.
Shanti was additionally a semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast. In 2020, she received a nomination for Rising Star Chef.
In 2023, Neng Jr.’s was a semifinalist for Best New Restaurant.
James Beard, for whom the James Beard Foundation is named, was a distinguished American chef, prolific writer of cookbooks, and pioneer in US television cooking programs. The foundation seeks to “highlight and honor, teach and mentor individuals dedicated to upholding a higher level of quality within,” fostering a “dynamic, fair, and eco-friendly sector of standalone restaurants.”
In April, the James Beard Foundation held its annual event.
Chef Action Summit in Asheville
, with nearly 300 registered attendees from 37 states. The multiday conference consisted of panels and work sessions focused on supporting and improving food access nationwide for restaurants and communities, with topics including resilience amid tragedy, climate change and solutions, sustainable agriculture and restaurant practices, and food policy and nutrition.
To see the full list of nominees and winners for the 2025 James Beard Awards, please go to
jamesbeard.org
.
Tiana Kennell serves as the food and dining reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, which is affiliated with the USA Today Network. For inquiries, feedback, or tips, you can email her at tkennell@citizentimes.com or connect with her via @PrincessOfPage on both Instagram and Bluesky platforms.
The article initially appeared on Asheville Citizen Times:
In 2025, the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Announcements: Has Asheville Emerged as a Winner?
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