Michigan restaurants, chefs named 2026 James Beard semifinalists

Local chefs and restaurants were named semifinalists yesterday for the prestigious James Beard Awards.

Why it matters: The awards are among the country's most prestigious culinary honors, raising the profile of winners and nominees.

Michigan's semifinalists:

• 🥘 Best New Restaurant: Echelon Kitchen & Bar, Ann Arbor
• 🍷 Best New Bar: Bar Chenin, a wine bar inside The Siren Hotel
• 🧑‍🍳 Best Chef, Great Lakes: Javier Bardauil, BARDA; Andy Elliott and Emily Stewart, Modern Bird, Traverse City; James Galbraith, PostBoy, New Buffalo; John Yelinek, Ladder 4 Wine Bar

What's next: The top semifinalists in each category will be announced on March 31 and winners will be named on June 15.