James Beard Award Semifinalists 2026
The official 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists have been announced. See the complete list of restaurants and chefs recognized in every category.
www.jamesbeard.orgThe James Beard Awards 2026 featured finalists and honorees across Restaurant, Chef, Media, and Humanitarian categories with the Restaurant and Chef ceremony scheduled for June 15, 2026 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago and the Media Awards on June 13, 2026 in Chicago. Semifinalists were announced in January 2026, followed by nominee announcements in March and May 2026, leading to the final winners announced in mid-June. The Foundation also highlighted Lifetime Achievement, Impact Awards, and Humanitarian of the Year as part of the lineup. The James Beard Awards recognize exceptional talent in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system and are often described as the Oscars of the food world.