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The food world’s biggest night just went out with a bang.
Last night, the annual James Beard Awards made its return to Chicago this weekend. Celebrating 40 years, the awards honored culinary talents across the entire industry, starting with exceptional storytellers at the James Beard Media Awards on June 13. On June 14, the Foundation honored visionary changemakers at the James Beard Impact Awards, which included Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Luján, ReFED and the Southern Smoke Foundation.
But last night's culminating award ceremony, the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards, honored exceptional talent in the food, beverage and hospitality industries. Held at Chicago’s Lyric Opera of Chicago, the evening was hosted by Top Chef judge Gail Simmons accented with a star-studded lineup of presenters including Killer Mike and EL-P of the hip-hop duo Run the Jewels. The awards ceremony was livestreamed exclusively by Bon Appétit.
Recommended: Here are New York’s 2026 James Beard Award nominees
Here’s the full list of winners below. Book them now (while you still can!).
Outstanding Restaurateur
Dana Street, Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co., and others, Portland, ME
Outstanding Chef
Michael Tusk, Quince, San Francisco, CA
Outstanding Restaurant
Kalaya, Philadelphia, PA
Emerging Chef
Adrian Torres, Maximo, West University Place, TX
Best New Restaurant
Lei, New York, NY
Outstanding Bakery
Wild Crumb, Bozeman, MT
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Hospitality
Providence, Los Angeles, CA
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Kato, Los Angeles, CA
Outstanding Bar
Scotch Lodge, Portland, OR
Best New Bar
Loma, Providence, RI
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
Lee Campbell, Borgo, New York, NY
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
Kevin Diedrich, Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, CA
Best Chef: California
Dave Beran, Seline, Santa Monica, CA
Best Chef: Great Lakes
Jacob Potashnick, Feld, Chicago, IL
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic
Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia, PA
Best Chef: Midwest
Loryn Nalic, Balkan Treat Box, Webster Groves, MO
Best Chef: Mountain
Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver, CO
Best Chef: New York State
Hooni Kim, Meju, Queens, NY
Best Chef: Northeast
Evan Hennessey, Stages, Dover, NH
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific
Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland, OR
Best Chef: South
Serigne Mbaye, Dakar NOLA, New Orleans, LA
Best Chef Southeast
Taylor Montgomery, Montgomery Sky Farm, Leicester, NC
Best Chef: Southwest
Sarah Thompson, Casa Playa, Las Vegas, NV
Best Chef: Texas
Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu, JŪN, Houston, TX
Outside of the awards, last night also honored Damián Diaz and Othón Nolasco with the Humanitarian of the Year Award for their work at No Us Without You. Meanwhile, the Lifetime Achievement Award went to the one and only Nancy Silverton. The America's Classics award winners were also honored in the ceremony.
Check out the list on the website here.