Kansas City's 2026 James Beard semifinalists

• Here are the area's nominations.

🍽️ Best New Restaurant

• Anjin, 1708 Oak St., KCMO

🍰 Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

• Helen Jo Leach, The Town Company, 1228 Baltimore Ave., KCMO

🥃 Outstanding Bar

• Drastic Measures, 5817 Nieman Road, Shawnee

🍸 Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service

• Diana Condori, Fern Bar, 2041 Broadway Blvd., KCMO

📍 Best Chef: Midwest

• Swetha Newcomb, Of Course, 7753 W 159th St., Overland Park
• Johnny Leach, The Town Company, 1228 Baltimore Ave., KCMO

The intrigue: Drastic Measures was a finalist in 2023 and has reached the semifinals every year since.

💭 Abbey's thought bubble: The fried sakura pork collar sandwich from Anjin made me emotional. It earns its spot.

What's next: Finalists will be announced on March 31, with the winners unveiled in June.