Jan 21, 2026 - News

Dallas-Fort Worth has eight James Beard Award semifinalists

Eight North Texas businesses are semifinalists for a James Beard Award this year.

Why it matters: North Texas hasn't won a James Beard in years but has had eight semifinalists two years in a row.

What's next: The finalists will be announced in March and the winners will be recognized at a ceremony in Chicago in June.

Our semifinalists...

Places

Far-Out: The Fair Park restaurant and bar, which reminded us of the West Texas desert, is a semifinalist for best new restaurant.
Starship Bagel, which was a finalist last year, is again in the running for outstanding bakery this year.
Ayahuasca Cantina, which made this Esquire list of the best bars in the country, is a contender for outstanding bar.

Bib Gourmand recipient Lucia is once again a James Beard semifinalist, but for its desserts. Maggie Huff is in the running for outstanding pastry chef or baker.
Gabe Sanchez of Midnight Rambler is a semifinalist for outstanding professional in cocktail service. The bar is tucked in the Joule's basement with a full TV guide of punny cocktail titles.
Scott Girling of Denton's Osteria Il Muro, Patrick Hicks of Arlington's Smoke'N Ash BBQ and Masayuki Otaka of Dallas' Mābo are all in the running for best chef in Texas.