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James Beard Award 2026 finalists announced: Nine LA County names make the cut

The James Beard Foundation announced its full list of James Beard Awards 2026 finalists today, March 31, at a ceremony in Chicago.

Los Angeles County has nine finalists this year, including Gilberto Cetina of Holbox and Niki Nakayama of n/naka for Outstanding Chef. Komal‘s Fátima Juárez was named in the Emerging Chef category. Contemporary Korean restaurant Ki will for Best New Restaurant, and three-star Michelin sparkler Providence was named under the Outstanding Hospitality category.

Kato was named a finalist for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program, while Jack Benchakul of Endorffeine Coffee Bar was named for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service.

Competing under Best Chef: California will be Dave Beran of Seline in Santa Monica and Kwang Uh of Baroo in the Arts District. The two were named in the same category alongside Harrison Cheney of Sons & Daughters (San Francisco), Sarah Cooper and Alan Hsu of Sun Moon Studio (Oakland) and Daisy Ryan of Bell’s (Los Alamos).

ALSO READ: Providence and Somni become LA’s first three-star Michelin restaurants

Outside the competitive categories, honorary awards will be given to No Us Without You (Damián Diaz and Othón Nolasco’s nonprofit providing food security for undocumented communities) for Humanitarian of the Year, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) for the Impact Award and Nancy Silverton who will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award.

“It’s been a dream to be considered for a James Beard Award, and a dream come true to be able to receive this Humanitarian Achievement Award,” said Damián Diaz, in a written release. “This win is for all day laborers, street food vendors, and back-of-house workers across the country, who keep this broken machine afloat! ¡Puro pa’ delante!”

The winners will be announced at a gala ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on June 15.

The James Beard Awards began awarding the food and hospitality industry in 1991. Categories include outstanding restaurant, best chef, outstanding bar and outstanding bakery, to name a few.

The entire list of the 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards’ restaurant and chef nominees are as follows:

Outstanding Restaurateur: “A restaurateur who uses their establishment(s) as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship, and integrity in restaurant operations.”

Outstanding Chef: “A chef who sets high culinary standards and has served as a positive example for other food professionals.”

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Outstanding Restaurant: “A restaurant that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.”

Emerging Chef: “A chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.”

Best New Restaurant: “A restaurant opened between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations. Those establishments that have opened after September 30, 2025, can be considered for the 2027 Awards.”

Outstanding Bakery: “A baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.”

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: “A pastry chef or baker who makes desserts, pastries, or breads. Candidate demonstrates exceptional skills and can be affiliated with any food business and does not need a brick-and mortar presence.”

Outstanding Hospitality: “A restaurant, bar, or bakery that fosters a sense of hospitality among its customers and staff that serves as a beacon for the community and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.”

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: “A restaurant that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the pairing of wine and other beverages with food. This includes the selection, preparation, and serving of wine, cocktails, spirits, coffee, tea, beer, or any other beverage with outstanding hospitality and service that helps inform and enhance a customer’s appreciation of the beverage(s). Ethical sourcing will also be considered.”

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Outstanding Bar: “A wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar, or any other business whose primary offering is beverage and that demonstrates consistent excellence in curating a selection or in the preparation of drinks, along with outstanding atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.”

Best New Bar: “A wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar, or any other business whose primary offering is beverage, opened between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, that already demonstrates excellence in beverages, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in the preparation of drinks, sourcing, service, hospitality, atmosphere, and operations. Those establishments that have opened after September 30, 2025, can be considered for the 2027 Awards.”

Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: “A service professional who curates and serves wine, beer, or other offerings such as sake, low- and non-alcoholic beverages in a restaurant or bar setting; or winery, distillery or brewery that also serves food. Candidate has set high standards; demonstrates creativity and consistency in excellence, innovation, and hospitality; is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture; and has served as an exceptional example or mentor for other beverage professionals.”

Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: “A service professional who creates and serves cocktails or other offerings such as low- and non-alcoholic beverages. Candidate has set high standards; demonstrates creativity and consistency in excellence, innovation, and hospitality; is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture; and has served as an exceptional example or mentor for other beverage professionals.”

Best Chefs: “Chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions.”

Best Chef: California

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Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)

Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)

Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)

Best Chef: New York State

Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)

Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)

Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)

Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)


Best Chef: Texas

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