Here Are the 2026 James Beard Awards Restaurant, Chef, and Media Award Finalists – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Pixabay)
The James Beard Foundation revealed its complete slate of finalists for the 2026 awards on May 6, capping months of anticipation in the restaurant world. These nominees span chefs, restaurants, and media creators from every corner of the United States, highlighting innovation, tradition, and community impact. The ceremonies will unfold in Chicago from June 13 to 15, where winners will receive one of the industry’s most coveted honors.
Leaders Shaping the Dining Landscape
Finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur recognize visionaries who built enduring groups across multiple locations. Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar earned a nod for their work at Ettan, Copra, and Eylan in California. Meherwan and Molly Irani stood out with Chai Pani Restaurant Group in Asheville, North Carolina, while Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski impressed through their New Orleans portfolio including Pêche Seafood Grill and Cochon.
Houston’s Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught made the list with H-Town Restaurant Group, encompassing Hugo’s and Xochi. Dana Street rounded out the category from Portland, Maine, overseeing Fore Street and Scales. In Outstanding Chef, contenders included Gilberto Cetina of Holbox in Los Angeles and Niki Nakayama of n/naka, also in Los Angeles. Josh Niernberg from Bin 707 Foodbar in Grand Junction, Colorado, David Standridge of The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic, Connecticut, and Michael Tusk of Quince in San Francisco completed the group.
Standouts in Restaurants and Hospitality
The Outstanding Restaurant category featured The Catbird Seat in Nashville, Tennessee, alongside The Four Horsemen in Brooklyn, New York. Kalaya from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Mixtli in San Antonio, Texas, and Vicia in St. Louis, Missouri, also advanced. Emerging Chef finalists highlighted Fátima Juárez of Komal in Los Angeles, E.J. Lagasse from Emeril’s in New Orleans, and Rasheeda Purdie of Ramen by Rā in New York.
- Bailey Sullivan, Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio, Chicago, Illinois
- Adrian Torres, Maximo, West University Place, Texas
Best New Restaurant nominees spanned 1033 Omakase in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to Tamba in Las Vegas, Nevada, with stops in Houston, Kansas City, Philadelphia, New York, Washington, D.C., Charleston, and St. Louis. Outstanding Bakery contenders included Cultured in Sister Bay, Wisconsin, and Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop in Anchorage, Alaska.
Regional Talents and Specialized Excellence
Best Chef awards covered 12 regions, showcasing local mastery. In California, Dave Beran of Seline in Santa Monica vied with Harrison Cheney of Sons & Daughters in San Francisco. The Great Lakes region pitted Vinnie Cimino of Cordelia in Cleveland, Ohio, against Sarah Dworak of Sudova in Cincinnati. Mid-Atlantic highlights included Nathan Flaim of Luca in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate of Honeysuckle in Philadelphia.
Midwest nominees featured Zak Baker of Ca’Lucchenzo in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, and Loryn Nalic of Balkan Treat Box in Webster Groves, Missouri. Mountain region contenders ranged from Johnny Curiel of Alma Fonda Fina in Denver, Colorado, to Nick Zocco of Urban Hill in Salt Lake City, Utah. Similar depth appeared in New York State, Northeast, Northwest & Pacific, South, Southeast, Southwest, and Texas categories.
Specialized honors went to Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker nominees like Neale Asato of Asato Family Shop in Honolulu, Hawaii. Outstanding Hospitality recognized Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering in Boise, Idaho, and Providence in Los Angeles. Beverage programs shone at Chambers in New York and Kato in Los Angeles, while bars like Smuggler’s Cove in San Francisco competed in Outstanding Bar.
Media, Books, and Humanitarian Recognition
Book Award finalists filled categories from Baking and Desserts, with Helen Goh’s Baking and the Meaning of Life, to Vegetable-Focused Cooking like Joanne Lee Molinaro’s The Korean Vegan: Homemade. International entries included Eric Adjepong’s Ghana to the World, and U.S. Foodways highlighted Nina Compton’s Kwéyòl / Creole. Broadcast Media Awards spanned Audio Programming such as The Food Chain to Travel Visual Media like Somebody Feed Phil on Netflix.
Journalism Awards covered Beverage pieces like Craig Sauers’ work in Wine Enthusiast and investigative reports from Food & Environment Reporting Network. Earlier achievements included No Us Without You LA’s Humanitarian of the Year for Damián Diaz and Othon Nolasco, Nancy Silverton’s Lifetime Achievement, and Impact Award honorees like the Southern Smoke Foundation.
As the June ceremonies approach, these finalists embody the diversity and resilience of American cuisine. From coastal innovators to heartland specialists, they set the standard for what’s possible on the plate and beyond. Food enthusiasts nationwide will watch closely to see who claims the top prizes.
