Here are New York’s 2026 James Beard Award nominees

At beginning of the year, the James Beard Foundation kicked off the 2026 James Beard Awards by releasing its list of semifinalists. In February, the foundation announced the America’s Classic Awards winners, which recognize long-standing, independently owned restaurants, and Kingston's Eng’s was one of the five restaurants across the country to receive the honor. Easing closer to the live awards ceremony in Chicago on June 15, we now have the list of nominees. 

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Out of twenty semifinalists, five chefs have moved to vie for the title of Best Chef: New York State. Nominees include Fidel Caballero of Corima, Giovanni Cervantes of Carnitas Ramirez, Hooni Kim of Meju, Ayesha Nurdjaja of Shukette and Joshua Pinsky of Claud. 

Rasheeda Purdie, behind the quaint ramen counter in the East Village, Ramen by Rā, will represent New York under the Emerging Chefs category, while Chinatown’s Lei is still in the running for Best New Restaurant. As for Outstanding Restaurant, Brooklyn’s long-standing natural wine bar and restaurant, Four Horsemen, was nominated. 

Meanwhile, Tribeca’s Chambers will move forward as a nominee for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. Lee Campbell of Nomad's Borgo received a nomination for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, while Ivy Mix of Brooklyn’s Whoopsie Daisy received a nomination for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. 

The 2026 James Beard Award winners will be announced at a live ceremony in Chicago on Monday, June 15. In the meantime, find the full list of NYC nominees below: 

Best Chef New York State

• Fidel Caballero, Corima, New York, NY
• Giovanni Cervantes, Carnitas Ramirez, New York, NY
• Hooni Kim, Meju, Queens, NY
• Ayesha Nurdjaja, Shukette, New York, NY
• Joshua Pinsky, Claud, New York, NY

Outstanding Restaurant

• The Four Horsemen, Brooklyn, NY

Emerging Chef

• Rasheeda Purdie, Ramen by Rā, New York, NY

Best New Restaurant

• Lei, New York, NY

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

• Chambers, New York, NY

Best New Bar

• Clemente Bar, New York, NY

Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service

• Lee Campbell, Borgo, New York, NY

Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service

• Ivy Mix, Whoopsie Daisy, Brooklyn, NY