The James Beard Foundation released its list of finalists for the 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards this week. Several New York City establishments and chefs appear among the nominees. The winners are set to be announced in Chicago on June 15.
This spring, local chefs are fielding calls from regulars and media. On Thursday morning, staff at a Lower East Side bistro said they learned of their nomination from a customer before they saw the official email. The awards, often described as the Oscars of the food industry, include categories for outstanding restaurant, best new restaurant, and regional chef honors.
A Midtown bakery known for its rye bread and a Harlem chef specializing in Senegalese stews are both finalists. Tickets for the Chicago ceremony were released last Friday and sold out in hours, according to the Beard Foundation’s website.
The awards come as the city’s restaurants prepare for the first waves of summer tourists and graduation parties. Industry observers note that a Beard nomination can bring a spike in reservations and national attention, particularly for smaller, independently owned spots.
Final voting for the awards is underway. The full list of this year’s nominees is available on the Foundation’s website.