BATON ROUGE –- The 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists have been announced, and a Baton Rouge mixologist is the city’s sole representative in this prestigious national competition.
Semifinalist Alan Walter joins the “who’s who” of bartenders and mixologists in one of the newest categories for the esteemed restaurant and chef awards.
Walter, a bartender at The Brakes Bar on Government Street, is a semifinalist in the “Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service” category, competing against peers from across the country. This is one of three new beverage-focused categories introduced this year, alongside “Best New Bar” and “Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service.”
The Brakes Bar is known for its inventive cocktails, specifically combining different libations with locally foraged herbs. It is part of Spoke & Hub, a restaurant known for its comfort food and family-friendly brunch.
About the awards
There is an “open call” for recommendations for categories in the Restaurant and Chef awards. These recommended nominations are by regional judges who are actively looking for potential candidates, subcommittee members, and the general public. After the open call is closed, the recommendations are reviewed by subcommittee members.
That’s when semifinalists are determined and announced.
After the announcement, there is a “tasting period” where judges visit the semifinalists and vote. The top five in each category are then announced as the “nominees” – except for New Restaurant, which takes the top 10.
A round two tasting period will be the final opportunity for nominees to impress judges. Winners are announced at the annual awards ceremony in Chicago on June 16th and receive a medallion and certificate, along with recognition on the website.
The James Beard Awards started in 1990 and the first awards were given in 1991. The honor is considered very prestigious in the culinary industries.
The mission of the James Beard Award is “to recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.”
To view all of the 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists, including others from the state of Louisiana, visit its website.
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