On Monday, June 15, the James Beard Foundation Awards took place in Chicago. It has been 32 years since Dean Fearing won the Best Chef: Southwest award, and that was the last medal that Dallas took home. Sadly, that streak was not broken at the 2026 awards.
Maggie Huff at Lucia was a nominee for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, but lost early in the ceremony. Scott Girling of Osteria Il Muro in Denton was up for Outstanding Chef: Texas, but lost to Everlyn Garcia and Henry Lu of Jun in Houston.
While North Texas didn’t bring home any awards, the region was still well represented throughout the James Beard season. Chef Misti Norris was selected for the Beards’ Taste America 2026-2027 TasteTwenty Chefs cohort, a group of industry “ones to watch” who will represent their cities at a series of events and dinners hosted by the foundation. Participants are chosen for both their culinary achievements and their commitment to creating positive change. cohort, a selection of “ones to watch” in the industry who will represent Dallas at a series of events and dinners hosted by the foundation. Participants are selected for their work in the kitchen and their work for positive change.
Earlier in the awards cycle, several North Texas chefs and restaurants earned semifinalist recognition. Elizabeth Blau of Crown Block made the long list for Outstanding Restaurateur, an honor that recognizes the restaurants managed by her company, Blau + Associates. She was joined by Far-Out, whose kitchen is led by multiple-time nominee Misti Norris, in the Best New Restaurant category; Starship Bagel for Outstanding Bakery; Ayahuasca Cantina for Outstanding Bar; and Gabe Sanchez of Midnight Rambler, Saint Valentine, and Black Swan, who received his first nomination for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. Patrick Hicks and Fasicka Hicks of Smoke’N Ash BBQ in Arlington, along with Masayuki Otaka of Mabo, were also recognized in the Best Chef: Texas category.
While the region got its fair share of semifinalists in 2026, it didn’t fare well in nominees, with only two making it to the final round. In 2025, it had the most finalists in Texas, with five honors—all for DFW chefs, restaurants, and bakers. Sadly, there were no winners.
The Beards, which are known as the “Oscars of food,” recognize restaurants, bars, bakeries, and individuals in the hospitality industry for excellence in the yearly ceremony, which began in 1991. Since Fearing’s time, the regional categories have evolved, with the Best Chef: Texas award being created in 2019 to signify the emergence of the state as a culinary force.
Nominees are put forth for the Beards by the voting body, past nominees and winners, industry professionals, and the general public.
The full list of 2026 James Beard Foundation Award Winners:
Outstanding Restaurateur
Dana Street, Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co. and other — Portland, OR
Outstanding Chef
Michael Tusk, Quince, — San Francisco, CA
Outstanding Restaurant
Kalaya — Philadelphia, PA
Emerging Chef
Adrian Torres, Maximo — Houston, TX
Best New Restaurant
Lei — New York, NY
Outstanding Bakery
Wild Crumb — Bozeman, MT
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit — Washington, DC
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 — Sana 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 and 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, Jun — Houston, TX
