No James Beard Win for Alabama's Lone Finalist

The lone Alabama nominee for the 2025 James Beard Foundation Awards returned without an award.

Jose Medina Camacho was a finalist for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service. He is the co-founder and head of beverages at
Adiõs cocktail bar
in downtown Birmingham.

Arjav Ezekiel of
Birdie’s in Austin
earned the top prize. Other finalists in the Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service category wer Jacob Brown of Lazy Bear in San Francisco; Cassandra Felix of
Daniel in New York
; and Cristie Norman of
Delilah in Las Vegas.

Chefs
David Bancroft of Acre
in Auburn and
Arwen Rice from Red or White
in Mobile were
semifinalists
For the category of Best Chef: South, they didn’t advance to the finalist round.

“Honestly, it hasn’t really sunk in yet, but it’s surreal,”
Medina Camacho told
the day finalists were announced. “I’m very excited. It’s an honor to be on the list.”

Medina Camacho was born in Michoacán, Mexico. In 1993, he and his family moved to the U.S. He graduated from Clay-Chalkville High School in Pinson in 2008.

His extensive experience includes working in various dining establishments in Birmingham such as Sol y Luna, Cantina on Wheels, and Little Donkey. Prior to joining Adiõs, he was responsible for the drink offerings at Automatic Seafood and Oysters.

Adios was named
One of the top-rated cocktail bars in the nation according to the Spirited Awards for 2024.

Former recipients of the James Beard Award from Alabama include:

Adam Evans

, Automatic Seafood and Oysters, located in Birmingham, was awarded Best Chef: South, 2022.

Highlands Bar and Grill

, Birmingham, Top Restaurant of 2018.

Dolester Miles

,
Highlands Bar and Grill, located in Birmingham, was awarded as the venue with the Most Outstanding Pastry Chef in 2018.

Chris Hastings

,
Hot and Hot Fish Club, located in Birmingham, was awarded as the Best Chef: South in 2012.

The Bright Star

,
Bessemer, America’s Classic, 2010.

Frank Stitt

,
Highlands Bar and Grill, Top Chef: Southeast, 2001; inducted into the James Beard Foundation’s Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America, 2011.