The James Beard Awards announced their 2025 semifinalists on Wednesday, with more than a dozen Colorado chefs, bars and restaurants in the running. Why it matters: The Beards are as big a deal for the hospitality industry as an Oscar is in moviemaking.

Colorado restaurants, chefs, bakers and beverage professionals garnered 14 semifinalist nominations for the prestigious annual James Beard Awards.

Fourteen food or drink specialists in Colorado have been named as semifinalists for the prestigious James Beard Awards, the foundation announced Wednesday. A shortlist of nominees will be released on April 2,