And The Semifinalists Are...

Together With

Good morning, Kansas City! Here’s what’s in store today:

🏅Six local James Beard semifinalists

☕️ A coffee shop is relocating within downtown KCMO

🍺 A new culinary center in the Northland

🍦 Ice cream club

Let’s go!

Awards

Meet Kansas City’s 2025 James Beard Semifinalists

Six Kansas City metro restaurants, bars, and chefs were named 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists. Here they are:

Best Chef: Midwest

• Johnny Leach - The Town Company

• Linda Duerr - The Restaurant at 1900

• Katie Liu-Sung - Chewology

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

• Helen Jo Leach - The Town Company

Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service

• Jay Sanders - Wild Child

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

• JJ’s Restaurant

See all the 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists from around the country HERE. 

Food and Drink

Spokes Café is Relocating in Downtown Kansas City

Local coffee shop Spokes Café is moving just down the block in downtown Kansas City.

• Short Move: Spokes will make a short move from 929 Walnut St. to the arcade of the Commerce Bank Building at 1007 Main St. Owner Dan Walsh hopes the new 3,000-square-foot space will increase traffic, being attached to multiple buildings and residing directly on the KC Streetcar line.

• Bikes and Baristas: The bicycle-themed coffee shop offers a full drink menu, breakfast burritos, sandwiches, wraps, and salads. It will also continue operating its other two locations at 1200 Washington St. and 2160 West 39th Ave. (KU Med).

Spokes Café expects to be open in the Commerce Bank Building in March.

Opening

Learn to Cook at the Culinary Center in the Green Hills Library Center

If you love to cook, or want to learn to cook, you need to check out the Culinary Center at the newly-renovated Green Hills Library Center in the Northland.

• Cooking Class: The Culinary Center has five total kitchens, which offer eating and health demos as well as small business assistance. The space was designed to host public programs encouraging healthy eating, nutrition, cooking, and food culture.

• Business of Food: Two of the five kitchens are commercial kitchens which allow small businesses to prepare, sell, and sample food. They also offer programs toe educate businesses on regulations and permits, as well as STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) programs to students.

The Green Hills Library Center is located at 8581 N. Green Hills Road in KCMO. Fill out this form to learn more about using the Culinary Center kitchens.

Food and Drink

French Custard Offering an Ice Cream Club

Brookside’s French Custard is combating the slow business during the colder months by offering a new ice cream club.

• Never Too Cold: The club is called the Cold Weather Ice Cream Club. The shop releases bi-weekly pints of limited-edition flavors via their mailing list. They are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so you’ll need to act quick when the flavors drop!

• Icy Indulgence: Examples of flavors include Tahini Maple Blondie and Cookie Butter Monster Mash. French Custard (5905 Main St.) has quickly become a local favorite by making fresh ice cream with no premade mixes; just milk, cream, eggs, and sugar.

Sign up for French Custard’s mailing list HERE.

Thursday Trivia 🤨

For over three decades, from 1931 to 1962, the tallest building west of the Mississippi River stood in Kansas City. What building is it?

Learn the answer in today’s newsletter from KC Yesterday, hitting inboxes at noon today! 👇

KC Daily Picks

In Other News…

• 💍 I Do at Blue Cedar: Kansas City's newest rustic event venue is now taking bookings for the 2025/2026 season. Inquire now for special early bird pricing!*

• ⚽️ Kick It Around Town: KC2026 wants your feedback regarding transportation and events during the FIFA World Cup in Kansas City in 2026. Fill out the survery HERE.

• 🍦 Ice Cream for Breakfast: Betty Rae’s is celebrating National Ice Cream for Breakfast Day by opening at 9 am on February 1-2 and offering special breakfast flavors, ice cream sandwiches, and Belgian Waffle Sundaes.

• 🏟️ Kingdom Art: Local artist Jeff Parson, AKA “Fearless Jackrabbit”, has a new addition to his larger-than-life Chiefs art display outside his home on Gateway Ave. in Riverside.

• 🥇 That’s My Coach: Chiefs Head Coach Andy Reid was named the 2024 AFC Coach of the Year during the 55th annual 101 Awards. A big deal for Big Red!

• 🤝 Your Friendly Neighborhood Newsletter: KC Daily will always be free, thanks to members of our Fan Club who generously support our newsletter. Skip the extra Starbucks run this month and support your favorite local newsletter instead. We’ll reward you with awesome Fan-exclusive giveaways. 👀

*content is sponsored

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