James Beard Foundation Announces 2026 Awards Winners in Chicago
9 reported
The James Beard Foundation revealed the winners of the 2026 James Beard Awards at its annual ceremony in Chicago on June 15, concluding months of anticipation for the restaurant industry’s highest honors. The awards, which recognize excellence across categories such as Outstanding Restaurant, Best New Restaurant, Outstanding Chef, and regional Best Chef awards, were hosted by cookbook author and Top Chef host Gail Simmons at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The Restaurant and Chef Awards followed the foundation’s Media Awards announcements on June 13 at the Art Institute of Chicago, which celebrated achievements in cookbooks, journalism, broadcast, social media, and other food storytelling. Earlier in the year, the foundation announced America’s Classics awards in February, honoring six independently owned restaurants with timeless appeal. On March 31, the foundation announced finalists for the Restaurant and Chef Awards, as well as winners of the Achievement Awards, including the Humanitarian of the Year Award and the Lifetime Achievement Award. The awards season began with the release of semifinalists in January, and the foundation also introduced the Impact Awards category last year.
What’s reported
The James Beard Foundation revealed the remaining winners of the 2026 James Beard Awards on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The ceremony was hosted by cookbook author and Top Chef host Gail Simmons.
The Media Awards were announced on June 13 at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Sallie Ann Robinson was inducted into the Book Awards Hall of Fame during the Media Awards.
America’s Classics awards were announced in February, honoring six independently owned restaurants.
Finalists for the Restaurant and Chef Awards were announced on March 31.
Achievement Award winners announced on March 31 included: No Us Without You (Humanitarian of the Year), Nancy Silverton (Lifetime Achievement), and five Impact Award honorees: CHIRLA, Jon Bon Jovi Soul Kitchen, Senator Ben Ray Luján, ReFED, and Southern Smoke Foundation.
Semifinalists were announced in January.
The Book Awards are open to cookbooks and other nonfiction food- or beverage-related books published in the U.S. in 2025.
Key figures
Gail Simmons, cookbook author and Top Chef host
Sallie Ann Robinson, author inducted into Book Awards Hall of Fame
Damián Diaz and Othon Nolasco, honorees of No Us Without You (Humanitarian of the Year)
Nancy Silverton, chef and restaurateur (Lifetime Achievement Award)
Ben Ray Luján, New Mexico Senator (Impact Award honoree)
Sources: eater.com
