These are Philadelphia region's 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists
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Jesse Ito of Royal Sushi & Izakaya made the cut for James Beard Award semifinalists. Photo: Daniel Boczarski/Getty for The Asian American Foundation
The James Beard Foundation revealed its 2026 semifinalists today, and Philadelphia has a bunch of restaurants, bars and chefs in the mix.
Why it matters: Beard Award season has begun, which ranks among the brass rings of the culinary industry and culminates in June when the winners are revealed.
State of play: In the coveted Outstanding Restaurant category, Chutatip "Nok" Suntaranon's Kalaya got the nod.
- The Outstanding Restaurateur category includes Greg Vernick of Vernick Food & Drink.
- And Philly snagged spots for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker (Justine MacNeil of Fiore), Best New Restaurant (Emmett) and Emerging Chef (Frankie Ramirez of Amá).
1 bummer: Philly didn't make the cut in the Outstanding Chef category.
Yes, but: Several regional chefs secured spots in the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic region:
- Ian Graye of Pietramala
- Jesse Ito of Royal Sushi & Izakaya
- Randy Rucker of Little Water
- Amanda Shulman of Her Place Supper Club
- Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate of Honeysuckle,
- Russ Cowan of Radin's Delicatessen in Cherry Hill, New Jersey
- David Viana of Judy and Harry's in Asbury Park, New Jersey
The big picture: The arrival of Michelin in Philly last year has made the city's restaurant industry even more competitive.
- Three Philly restaurants won a prized Michelin Star last year, while more than 20 others secured other Michelin awards and recommendations.
Meanwhile, the city is cracking down on third-party reservation booking sites that have made securing a table at Philly's must-try restaurants even harder.
What's next: The foundation will announce nominees on March 31.
- Winners will be celebrated at the awards ceremony on June 15 in Chicago.
🏆 The full list of Philly metro semifinalists:
Outstanding Restauranteur
- Greg Vernick of Vernick Food & Drink, Vernick Fish, and Vernick Coffee Bar.
Outstanding Restaurant:
- Kalaya
Emerging Chef
- Frankie Ramirez of Amá
Best New Restaurant
- Emmett
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
- Justine MacNeil of Fiore
Outstanding Bar
- Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday
Best New Bar
- Almanac
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
- Dan Suro-Cipolloni and David Suro-Piñera of Tequilas and La Jefa
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic
- Ian Graye of Pietramala
- Jesse Ito of Royal Sushi & Izakaya — missed out a bunch
- Randy Rucker of Little Water
- Amanda Shulman of Her Place Supper Club
- Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate of Honeysuckle,
- Russ Cowan, Radin's Delicatessen, Cherry Hill, NJ
- David Viana, Judy and Harry's, Asbury Park, NJ