Big news for Mobile’s food scene—Arwen Rice of Red or White has been named a semifinalist for the 2025 James Beard Awards.
She’s competing for the title of Best Chef: South, which includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico.
Rice shares the spotlight with David Bancroft of Acre in Auburn, showing Alabama’s growing presence in the Southern culinary world.
This nomination puts Mobile on the map and highlights the talent coming out of the city’s kitchens!
Alabama Chefs Turning Heads
Arwen Rice isn’t the only one representing the state in this year’s awards.
Over in Birmingham, Jose Medina Camacho of Adios has snagged a semifinalist spot in the Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service category.
With Rice and Camacho both making the cut, Alabama continues to prove it’s a rising star in the food and beverage industry.
These chefs and professionals are bringing national attention to the flavors and experiences the state offers.
A Closer Look at Arwen Rice
Arwen Rice’s journey to becoming a James Beard semifinalist began in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where her parents instilled a love for food and cooking from an early age.
Her passion for flavor and experimentation eventually led her to Mobile.
Rice vividly recalls childhood food memories, like discovering cream cheese brownies at a friend’s house, describing them as “chocolaty, tangy, and creamy” and a perfect fusion of cheesecake and brownie.
Her creativity continues to shine in the kitchen, though not every dish connects as she hopes.
For instance, a spruce bark-wrapped Harbison cheese failed to win over customers despite its gooey, woodsy richness—a mystery she still doesn’t quite understand.
Rice’s favorite tools, like her kitchen tweezers, help her perfect the small details, while her passion for bold flavors inspires her to push Mobile diners toward new experiences, such as mortadella.
From perfecting dishes to elevating Mobile’s dining culture, Rice brings her adventurous spirit and love of food to every plate she creates.
The South Serves Up Serious Talent
The competition for Best Chef: South is stacked with regional stars.
Alongside Rice and Bancroft, semifinalists include Nikhil Abuvala of Roux 30a in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, and Tresse and Austin Sumrall of White Pillars in Biloxi, Mississippi.
It’s clear the Gulf Coast is a hub for culinary innovation.
From Mobile to Biloxi, these chefs are elevating Southern cuisine and creating dining experiences that rival major food cities across the country.
What’s So Special About the James Beard Awards?
Think of the James Beard Awards as the Oscars of the food world.
These honors celebrate the best chefs, restaurants, and food professionals across the country.
But it’s more than just great cooking.
The awards also focus on sustainability, equity, and building positive cultures in the industry.
Making it as a semifinalist is a big deal—it puts chefs like Arwen Rice in the national spotlight.
The competition heats up on April 2, when finalists are announced.
Winners will be crowned on June 16 during the ceremony in Chicago.
A Win for the Local Food Scene
This recognition for Arwen Rice is a proud moment for Mobile and a sign of the city’s growing reputation as a foodie destination.
It’s the kind of news that gets people talking and puts a spotlight on local talent.
If you haven’t been to Red or White yet, now’s a great time to check it out.
After all, when a chef from your hometown gets this kind of recognition, it’s worth celebrating—and maybe even making dinner reservations!
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