Jan. 22, 2025

Two Sioux Falls chefs and one from Custer are semifinalists for James Beard Awards.

Marcella Salas, the co-owner of BibiSol, has been recognized as an Emerging Chef semifinalist with newcomers at 20 restaurants across the country.

Chris Hanmer, co-owner of CH Patisserie, is among 20 semifinalists for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.

Salas, her mother and her fiance opened BibiSol in July 2024 in downtown. The modern Mexican restaurant at 219 S. Phillips Ave. features farm-to-table ingredients and an indigenous technique for processing dried corn into masa to make tortillas, empanadas and other items on the menu.

Marcella Salas (right),  mother Patrician Burbine and fiance Chris Nelson welcome diners at a test run as BibiSol prepares to open.

Hanmer and his wife opened their downtown shop in 2012, specializing in treats such as French macarons, petite gateaux, croissants and beignets. He is a Bravo’s “Top Chef: Just Desserts” winner.

Chris Hanmer serves a customer in 2020 at CH Patisserie, which had just been completely remodeled to give it a European flair and create more space for seating and menu items.

Joseph Raney of Skogen Kitchen in Custer has received recognition in the category of best chef in the Midwest. He was a semifinalist last year along with Sanaa Abourezk of Sanaa’s Eighth Street Gourmet. In 2023, Abourezk advanced as a finalist.

The James Beard Foundation’s restaurant and chef awards — established in 1990 and first awarded in 1991 — are one of five recognition programs from the foundation. The 2025 restaurant and chef semifinalists are recognized across 25 categories.

Nominees will be announced April 2, and the winners will be announced June 16 in Chicago.

To see all the James Beard Award semifinalists, click here.