For many in the food industry, the James Beard Awards are the Oscars of the restaurant and bar world. Winners gain greater prestige, and even getting your name on the semifinalist list shows people are paying attention to what’s going on. Now, the 2026 semifinalist list is here, with 17 Colorado restaurants, bars, and chefs gracing the roster.
The local line up includes:
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Tommy Lee, Uncle, Hop Alley, and Molino Chido, Denver,
- Outstanding Chef: Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction
- Best New Restaurant: Kizaki, Denver
- Outstanding Bakery: Poulette Bakeshop, Parker
- Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Emily Thompson, The Wolf’s Tailor, Denver
- Outstanding Hospitality: Restaurant Olivia, Denver
- Outstanding Bar: Lady Jane, Denver
- Best New Bar: Van Atta, Telluride
- Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Ryan Fletter, Barolo Grill, Denver
- Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, Yacht Club, Denver
- Best Chef Mountain: Theo Adley, Marigold, Lyons
- Best Chef Mountain: Johnny Curiel, Alma Fonda Fina, Denver
- Best Chef Mountain: Dave Grant and Rocky Hunter, Gladys, Edgewater
- Best Chef Mountain: Miles Odell, Odell’s Bagel, Denver
- Best Chef Mountain: Bo Porytko, Molotov Kitschen + Cocktails, Denver
- Best Chef Mountain: Kenneth Wan, MAKFam, Denver
- Best Chef Mountain: Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver
The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards was established in 1990, with the first Awards given in 1991. The idea is to “celebrate excellence across all types of dining experiences, from fine dining to casual establishments.”
Colorado celebrated in 2025 when the Frasca Food and Wine team in Boulder took home the award for Outstanding Restaurant. This year we don’t have any restaurant nominees in that category, but Kizaki is up for Best New Restaurant. Given it’s already taken home a Michelin star since opening last spring, we wouldn’t be surprised to see chef Toshi Kizaki win this prize too.
Last year the semifinalist Best Chef Mountain also included Porytko, Wan, and Wong, though only Wong made it to the finalist list. Poulette Bakeshop was nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, though didn’t end up winning, and this year the bakery is up for Outstanding Bakery.
The JBA announced the category Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service last year, and once again McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright of Yacht Club in Denver are nominated. This is the fifth time Josh Niernberg of Bin 707 in Grand Junction has been nominated, and this year it’s for Outstanding Chef.
We’re thrilled to see some new names on the semifinalist list including Miles Odell, the team from vegan hotspot Gladys, and Theo Adley, whose restaurant Marigold in Lyons deserves all the recognition it’s recently received. Restaurants Barolo Grill and Olivia have also been nominated for wine and hospitality respectively. On the casual side, Uncle, Hop Alley, and Molino Chido owner Tommy Lee is nominated for Outstanding Restaurateur, and the darling cocktail den Lady Jane has also received recognition.
The final winners will be announced live at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 15, 2026 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Congrats to everyone who is nominated!
