Miami’s Chang siblings continue to leave their mark on the culinary world. Last year, Chef Valerie Chang of Maty’s earned the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef: South. This year, the spotlight turned to her brother. At the helm of Itamae Ao — which recently received a coveted Michelin star — Chef Nando Chang was named Best Chef: South during the 2025 James Beard Awards held in Chicago on June 16.
The Peruvian-born chef opened Itamae Ao in 2024 following the closure of the restaurant’s original Itamae in 2023, a venture he operated alongside his sister and father. While Valerie focused on launching Maty’s, Nando set out to create a more intimate dining experience. The result: a 10-seat, omakase-style concept offering a creative chef’s menu that blends Japanese and Peruvian flavors.
Tucked behind a separate entrance inside Maty’s, Itamae Ao serves up sashimi, nigiri, anticuchos (marinated grilled meat skewers) and aguadito (a comforting cilantro-based Peruvian soup), with each dish reflecting Nando’s unique culinary vision.
Before accepting one of the night’s top honors, Nando stood before a cheering crowd to thank his family — especially his “favorite chef and sister, Val.” He also addressed the challenges immigrants are facing in the United States today, sharing: “… I could not be prouder to be part of this beautiful country. Thank you, America, and thank you, Miami.” Nando praised the James Beard Foundation for its commitment to diversity, adding: “All food is immigrant and immigrants make America great.”
With this dynamic brother-and-sister duo, Midtown Miami may well be the most decorated culinary hub.
For more information, visit jamesbeard.org.
Photo by Al Diaz