Meet the 2026 recipients of the James Beard Awards.

The James Beard Awards ceremony saw Kalaya claim the prestigious outstanding restaurant award, while Michael Tusk received the distinguished outstanding chef honor that night.

On a Monday evening in Chicago, the prestigious James Beard Awards were presented to deserving recipients from the culinary world, an annual tradition dating back to 1991, marked by controversy and hometown enthusiasm this time around.

Philadelphia's Kalaya earned top honors as an outstanding restaurant, while Michael Tusk, co-owner and chef of Quince and Cotogna in San Francisco, received the award for outstanding chef. His wife, Lindsay Tusk, shares his culinary success. Dana Street, leader of Portland, Maine's Fore Street and Scales restaurants, was recognized as an exceptional restaurateur. Lei in Manhattan's Chinatown stood out with its best new restaurant accolade.

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, seeking his third term in office, personally acknowledged the James Beard Award nominees during a ceremony, also expressing admiration for Smyth, a renowned Chicago eatery that had recently been crowned best restaurant in North America by the World's 50 Best organization.

The nominees' backgrounds were highlighted, including their ancestral ties to Ukraine and the influence of immigrant communities on local cuisine. The president's policies had been criticized by many in attendance, who responded with applause when one speaker noted the strain these groups have faced under his administration. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized the city's resilience, vowing it would not yield to oppressive forces.

Mexican-American cuisine pioneer Adrian Torres, honored as best emerging chef for his innovative dishes at Maximo in Houston, expressed pride in his heritage: "Being an immigrant's child and a DACA beneficiary is a badge of honor." His gratitude was articulated in fluent Spanish.

The James Beard Foundation Media Awards ceremony on Saturday honored outstanding culinary achievements. Hailee Catalano, a rising star in the culinary world, took home the award for best general cookbook with her debut publication "By Heart". Helen Goh's thought-provoking book "Baking & the Meaning of Life" earned her top honors in the baking category. Meanwhile, "Raoul's: A New York Story" was recognized as the year's standout documentary about the iconic SoHo restaurant.

The James Beard Awards foundation has navigated several high-profile controversies, including a 2005 embezzlement conviction of its board president and a 2020 cancellation due to concerns over diversity among winners. The organization's reputation was further scrutinized in 2023 through an investigation into nominees' ethics. Despite these challenges, the awards have maintained their popularity and influence, thanks in part to a new partnership with American Express and Resy, a reservation-platform subsidiary.

A distinctive honor was unveiled by the foundation, featuring a medallion bearing James Beard's likeness, set against a sleek black background for prominent eateries to showcase.

Montgomery Sky Farm's Taylor Montgomery, winner of the James Beard Award for best chef: Southeast, delivered a thought-provoking address after receiving his honor. He expressed regret that mainstream restaurants have lost their way, sacrificing flavor in favor of more efficient systems. Fifteen of his farm employees joined him on stage to share in the recognition, underscoring the importance of grassroots change.

Nancy Silverton, a renowned Los Angeles chef, made history in 1991 as the inaugural winner of the best pastry chef award by receiving the lifetime achievement honor. Meanwhile, music icon Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea made a stylish entrance on the red carpet, recognized for their philanthropic efforts through the James Beard Impact Awards. These awards acknowledge individuals who have significantly contributed to making the restaurant industry more equitable and sustainable. Notably, the nonprofit JBJ Soul Kitchen, co-founded by the couple, operates in New Jersey and offers job training programs. Other notable recipients included the Southern Smoke Foundation, led by Chris Shepherd; the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights; Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico; and ReFed, a pioneering food-waste reduction organization.

Outstanding Chef

Michael Tusk, Quince, San Francisco

Outstanding Restaurant

Kalaya, Philadelphia

Outstanding Restaurateur

The renowned Scales and Standard Baking Company is located in Portland.

Best New Restaurant

Lei, New York City

Emerging Chef

Adrian Torres, Maximo, Houston, Texas

Outstanding Hospitality

Providence, Los Angeles

Outstanding Bakery

Wild Crumb, Bozeman, Mont.

The Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker award goes to two talented individuals.

The 2026 James Beard Award winners hail from Susan Bae in Washington, D.C., where Moon Rabbit is also based.

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

Kato, Los Angeles

Outstanding Bar

Scotch Lodge, Portland, Ore.

Best New Bar (New Category)

Loma, Providence, R.I.

The inaugural Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service award recipient.

The 2026 James Beard Award winners have been announced.

The inaugural Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service award recipient is being announced.

Pacific Cocktail Haven's Kevin Diedrich is a winner.

Best Chef: New York State

Meju's Hooni Kim is among this year's winners.

Best Chef: California

The 2026 James Beard Award winners hail from Seline in California's coastal city of Santa Monica.

The award for Best Chef in the Great Lakes region goes to.

Jacob Potashnick, Feld, Chicago

The Mid-Atlantic region's top culinary talent has been recognized with a prestigious honor.

Royal Sushi & Izakaya's Jesse Ito received a nod.

The Northwest and Pacific region's top culinary honor goes to.

Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland, Ore.

The Best Chef: Midwest award goes to a culinary master from Iowa.

The 2026 James Beard Award winners include Loryn Nalic from Balkan Treat Box in St. Louis.

Mountain region's top culinary talent is recognized.

Yuan Wonton and Penelope Wong are honored recipients.

The prestigious award is presented in Denver, Colorado.

The Best Chef in the Northeast region is a prestigious honor awarded annually. This year's winners hail from Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Evan Hennessey, Stages, Dover, N.H.

The Best Chef award in the Southeast region went to chefs from six states.

Montgomery Sky Farm's Taylor Montgomery resides in Leicester, North Carolina.

The South's top culinary talent is represented by six exceptional chefs. Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico have each produced a standout candidate for Best Chef: South.

Meet the winners of the prestigious James Beard Awards.

The Best Chef in the Southwest region has been awarded to a talented individual. This prestigious honor is bestowed upon an exceptional chef from Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada or Oklahoma.

Best Chef: Texas

The 2026 James Beard Award winners include Evelyn García and Henry Lu from JŪN in Houston.

Humanitarian of the Year

Founders Othón Nolasco and Damián Diaz are behind No Us Without You LA.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Nancy Silverton