James Beard finalists, Alton Brown and spotlighting Swadesi

SAVORY news for the week of April 6, 2025

—It’s an honor: Windy City Times is seeking to recognize 30 more outstanding local LGBTQ+ individuals (and allies) for its annual 30 Under 30 Awards. Nominees should be 30 years or younger as of June 30, and should have made substantial contributions to the LGBTQ+ community in the fields of entertainment, politics, health, activism, academics, sports or other areas.

Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash

The awards ceremony is slated to take place in early June.

The deadline to nominate individuals is Friday, April 11. Email your nomination(s)—including the person’s name, age and contact info as well as short bio—to syntax3733@gmail.com.

And now on to culinary items…

—Beard and wonderful: Congrats go to the Chicago restaurants and chefs that have been named this year’s James Beard Awards finalists. The James Beard Awards is celebrating its 35th anniversary in 2025.

Oriole Chef Noah Sandoval. Photo courtesy of Cara Sandoval

Local nominees include Galit (Outstanding Restaurant); Kumiko (Outstanding Bar); and HaiSous’ Thai Dang, Maxwells Trading’s Chris Jung and Erling Wu-Bower, and Oriole’s Noah Sandoval (Best Chef: Great Lakes).

The nominees were announced during an event in Los Angeles on April 2. Of course, the awards will be given in Chicago on Saturday, June 15. Tickets to the ceremony can be purchased here.

The 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards is introducing three new categories: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. As an extension of the James Beard Foundation's impact work and advocacy policy priorities, there will be the inaugural Impact Awards, which recognize individuals and/or organizations advancing standards for a more equitable, sustainable and economically viable restaurant industry and food system.

—Pizza on Earth: Home Run Inn Pizza—which claims it launched thin-crust tavern-style pizza in Chicago—is offering deep-dish pizza for the first time ever this weekend.

The special offer is only valid for April 5-6, with the chain offering 12-inch deep dish pizzas and tavern-style pizzas for just $10, with a limit of three pizzas per order.

Swadesi. PR photo

—✨✨SPOTLIGHT ✨✨: As if Chef Sujan Sarkar doesn’t have enough happening with the restaurants Sifr and Indienne (both of which he co-founded) as well as other spots around the world, he is the force behind Swadesi, a new Indian-inspired cafe located at 328 S. Jefferson St., in the trendy West Loop area.