Uwishunu Feature Published on June 17, 2025

Phila Lorn of Mawn Wins Big at the 2025 James Beard Awards

Cue the airhorns …

Mawn Photo by D. Knoll for Visit Philadelphia

Few Philly stories are as delicious as this.

Repping Philadelphia inside the kitchen and out (and not just because he literally carries its name), chef Phila Lorn of Mawn represented the city on dining’s biggest stage, bringing home the 2025 James Beard Award for Emerging Chef.

A son of South Philly raised by Cambodian refugees, Phila Lorn built his career — and met his wife and business partner, Rachel — working in some of Philly’s top kitchens before taking over the Bella Vista storefront that once belonged to James Beard Award-winning heavyweight Kalaya.

The couple took off running (torch in hand) in 2023, channeling Lorn’s Cambodian culture into an innovative — and now award-winning — Italian Market noodle house, highlighting Southeast Asian cuisines.

And Lorn wasn’t the only Philadelphian to capture the Beards’ attention this year. Craig LaBan, the longtime restaurant critic and columnist for The Philadelphia Inquirer, also won the organization’s prestigious award for journalism.

How to Get a Taste

Let’s face it: A table at Mawn was one Philly’s most difficult reservations to get before the awards.

Dinner reservations are released on the first of the month at noon for the following month, but they tend to go fast.

Your best bet for copping a bowl of the restaurant’s delicious noodles is to stop by for walk-in-only lunch, served Thursdays through Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Philly’s Culinary Scene

Philly’s restaurant scene has been blazing for a while — scoring dozens of James Beard nominations over the years — and shows no signs of cooling off.

Just being recognized by the James Beard Foundation in the lead up to the awards places restaurants among the best of the best in the nation.

And this year, Philadelphia racked up three additional finalist nominations — chefs Jesse Ito (Royal Sushi & Izakaya) and Amanda Shulman (Her Place Supper Club) for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic and The Lovers Bar for Outstanding Bar.

Beyond the Beards, the city has been highlighted by some of food’s top publications, including Food & Wine and Eater. Next up? The highly acclaimed Michelin Guide has its eyes set on the city — with stars to be announced later this year.