The James Beard Foundation has announced its 2026 semifinalists, and once again, Houston shows up as a serious force in the American food conversation, with nominations that span fine dining, hospitality, bars, and emerging talent.
Leading the local charge is Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught of H-Town Restaurant Group, named semifinalists for Outstanding Restaurateur. The longtime champions of regional Mexican cuisine and thoughtful hospitality continue to define Houston dining through restaurants like Hugo’s, Xochi, Caracol, and Urbe, and most recently Zaranda, which opened in Downtown last year.
In the Outstanding Chef category, Manabu Horiuchi of Kata Robata and Katami earns a well-deserved nod, further cementing Houston’s reputation as one of the country’s most exciting cities for Japanese cuisine.
Houston’s next generation is also making waves. Max Lappé and Jacques Varon of Baso were named semifinalists for Emerging Chef, as was Adrian Torres of Maximo in West University Place.
On the restaurant front, Agnes and Sherman landed a semifinalist spot for Best New Restaurant, signaling national recognition for Houston’s evolving neighborhood-driven dining scene. Meanwhile, Lee’s earned a nod for Best New Bar, highlighting the city’s growing influence in cocktail culture and late-night hospitality.
Behind the bar, Houston talent continued to shine. June Rodil of March was named a semifinalist for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, while Kristine Nguyen of Bludorn earned recognition for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service—two accolades that underscore the city’s strength not just in the kitchen, but across the entire dining experience.
Rounding out the list, the Best Chef: Texas category reads like a who’s who of Houston excellence, with semifinalists including Ope Amosu (ChòpnBlọk), Kent Domas and Seth Siegel-Gardner (Milton’s), Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu (JŪN), and Shawn Gawle (Camaraderie). Together, they represent the diversity, global perspective, and creative confidence that have become hallmarks of Houston cooking.
Restaurant and Chef Award nominees will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, with winners revealed Monday, June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Until then, Houston can take pride in a semifinalist list that reflects not just national recognition, but a city firmly in its culinary prime.
