Mar 31, 2026 - News

Philly racks up 7 James Beard finalist nods

Isaac Avilucea

Jesse Ito speaks during the AAPI Culinary Conference at L7 Chicago by Lotte Hotel on June 09, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. — Jesse Ito. Photo: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for The Asian American Foundation

Philly's James Beard story features a familiar face: Royal Sushi & Izakaya's Jesse Ito is once again a finalist for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, joining a strong group of regional nominees.

Why it matters: The Beards are the restaurant industry's Oscars, and Ito's repeat recognition underscores his staying power and Philly's status as a top food city.

Driving the news: This is Ito's sixth time as a finalist, a run that's included him being up for the same best chef honor last year ... and the year before ... and, well, you get the picture.

Not that he's counting, anymore, telling Billy Penn last year he stopped having expectations.
Ito is in a slugfest, competing against other Philly heavyweights for the Mid-Atlantic's best chef: Amanda Shulman of Her Place Supper Club and Honeysuckle's Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate.

Zoom out: Philly is well-represented across several categories, with seven finalists in total.

Who else made the list:

🍽️ Kalaya — Outstanding Restaurant
🆕 Emmett — Best New Restaurant
🍸 The Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday — Outstanding Bar. (Another nod for one of the city's most acclaimed cocktail programs.)
🧁 Justine MacNeil of Fiore — Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

What's next: Winners will be announced at the James Beard Awards ceremony on June 15 in Chicago.

What we're watching: Will Ito finally get to smoke that celebratory cigar?

Add Axios on Google

Philly racks up 7 James Beard finalist nods

More Philadelphia stories