Several New Mexican hospitality hotshots and two Albuquerque businesses are nominated for one of the nation’s most prestigious awards celebrating excellence across all types of drink and dining experiences.
2025 is the 35th anniversary of the James Beard Awards, one of the most celebrated honors recognizing achievement in the culinary and food media industry. Professionals from New Mexico’s restaurant and bar scene have made the list of nominees for the Restaurant and Chef Awards category, which celebrates talent from experts in both casual and fine dining. Coda Bakery in Albuquerque and Campo at Los Poblanos in Los Ranchos round out the list of semifinalists as well as chefs Kattia Rojas at Buen Provencho Latin American Restaurant and Sean Sinclair at Level 5 Rooftop Restaurant at Hotel Chaco. They are competing in their individual categories with professionals from around the country. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on June 16 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
This year, three new beverage-focused categories have been added to the restaurant and chef awards to celebrate the 35th anniversary and the restaurant industry’s evolution: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. Kate Gerwin of Happy Accidents in Albuquerque has been nominated for an award in the new Cocktail Service category.
Santa Fe chefs Cristian Pontiggia at Sassella, Fernando Ruiz at Escondido and Joseph Wrede of Joseph’s Culinary Pub also received nominations in the Best Chef: Southwest category.
Outstanding Bakery
Coda, Albuquerque, NM
Bringing traditional Vietnamese pastries and desserts to the International District for years, Coda Bakery (201 San Pedro Dr. SE) has recently moved just a few minutes west of its old location. Coda uses old-fashioned techniques and authentic, locally sourced ingredients in their homemade desserts and sandwiches on fresh-baked baguettes. Try their vermicelli rice noodle bowls filled with ingredients like pickled carrots & daikon, bean sprouts, scallion oil and spicy fish sauce. Most of their dishes are loaded with different seafood and meats but there are several veggie and tofu options available.
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
Kate Gerwin, Happy Accidents, Albuquerque, NM
The mixologists at Happy Accidents (3225 Central Ave. NE) specialize in conjuring dozens of complex, potent potions with clever and sexy names such as the Dirty Talk Martini made with a blend of olive, garlic, leek and rosemary gins and the Hot Date With a Fun Guy, swimming with mushroom-infused tequiliana and mezcal, Pedro Ximenez Sherry, Cardamaro, figs and dates — they promise it doesn’t taste like soup. Their namesake drink called Happy Little Accidents is a juicy, tropical mix of tequiliana, ling hui mui infused rum, guava, lemon, passionfruit foam and a hint of salt.
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Campo at Los Poblanos, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque, NM
The cocktails at Los Poblanos Historic Inn and Farms (4803 Rio Grande Blvd. NW) feature a wide variety of ingredients sourced from local farms, small-batch spirits and their own botanical gin. Depending on the time of day or year, their patio bar offers different multicolored views of North Valley landscapes and the Sandia Mountains.