WINTER PARK, Fla. – For the second year in a row, an Orlando-area eatery is one of the finalists for the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant.
Ômo by Jônt, a Japanese-French restaurant in Winter Park, is among the nine finalists this year from across the country up for the prestigious award from the James Beard Foundation.
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The restaurant’s chef, Ryan Ratino said in a press release that this feels like a full circle moment for himself and his team.
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“My 20-year-old self-eating at Luma, wanting to do it on Park Ave one day would have never dreamed of this! Very happy to be a part of the Orlando dining community and what’s to come,” Ratino said in a press release.
Ômo by Jônt opened in February 2024 at 115 E. Lyman Ave. It serves an experiential tasting menu with high-end Japanese seafood. The restaurant offers an intimate experience as there are only 16 seats inside.
Meanwhile, Sue and Jason Chin from Orlando’s Good Salt Restaurant Group were also named as a James Beard Award finalist this year for Outstanding Restaurateur.
The group is behind beloved eateries such as The Osprey, Seito Sushi and The Monroe.
The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit aimed “to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability,” according to its website.
The annual awards have become an icon of recognition among the culinary community, like the coveted Michelin Star.
Last year, the Filipino, fine-dining restaurant Kaya in Orlando was named as a finalist for Best New Restaurant, but it did not win. The team headed to Chicago for the ceremony, where it is also being held again this year in June.
To check out the full list of this year’s finalists, click here.
