James Beard Awards season is in full swing for 2026. | Collage by Masood Shah The James Beard Foundation has announced its list of chef and restaurant finalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards. The awards represent one of the highest honors in the restaurant industry, recognizing chefs and restaurants across the United States. The March 31 announcement highlighted chefs and restaurants in categories including Outstanding Restaurateur, Best New Restaurant, and Best Chef awards in each of the foundation’s 12 regions. The announcement also included the winners of the foundation’s Achievement Awards. No Us Without You, with honorees Damián Diaz and Othon Nolasco, received the Humanitarian of the Year Award, and chef and restaurateur Nancy Silverton was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. The five honorees of the Impact Award were the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen, New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Luján, ReFED, and the Southern Smoke Foundation. On May 6, the foundation will announce the list of book and media finalists, which considers cookbooks, non-fiction food- and beverage-related books, and broadcast media, including podcasts, documentaries, and food-related social media accounts. Last month, the foundation also announced the winners of its America’s Classic Award, which honors six “independently owned restaurants with timeless appeal.” It also previously released its annual longlist of chef and restaurant semifinalists from across the country. All of this will culminate in the James Beard Award ceremonies, which will be held in Chicago from June 13 to June 15. Outstanding…
