If you scan the list of 2025 Restaurant and Chef Award finalists for the James Beard Awards that were announced April 2, you’ll notice that one local name is missing: Kayla Pfeiffer.
Pfeiffer, chef and partner of the Bicyclette Cookshop in Naples, was among the semifinalists in the Emerging Chef category in January.
Though the chef was not included as a James Beard finalist this year, Pfeiffer has accomplished more than most at her young age of 29. Just being considered for a James Beard Award is an accomplishment in itself. Plus, Pfeiffer has another goal to crush this year: a new restaurant.
“While it’s definitely a bit of a bummer, I’m really proud that we were able to put Naples on the map in any way with the James Beard recognition,” Pfeiffer said. “If anything, this has only fueled my motivation for next year ― to keep refining my craft and strengthening the team around me.”
Before opening the Bicyclette Cookshop with Louis Mele in November 2023, Pfeiffer already had an impressive resume — a 2024 champ of The Food Network’s “Chopped,” executive chef at acclaimed Naples restaurants The French Brasserie on 5th Avenue and Bar Tulia in Mercato, plus creating a menu and helping to open the kitchen at PJK Neighborhood Chinese.
This is just the beginning for Pfeiffer. She’s working on bringing even more creativity to Naples in the form of a new restaurant.
More: Naples chef and ‘Chopped’ champ announces new restaurant, Heyday Cookshop
“When one door closes, another opens,” she said. “We’re incredibly excited to announce that we’ve signed a lease and will be opening a new restaurant here in Naples, Heyday Cookshop!”
Plus, there’s always next year for a James Beard Award.
Find Kayla at Bicyclette Cookshop, 819 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples, (239) 514-3333, bicyclettecookshop.com, on Facebook and Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: ‘Fueled my motivation’: Naples chef won’t let James Beard Award snub stop her
Reporting by Kendall Little, Naples Daily News / Naples Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
