The Bay Area's 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists
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The James Beard Foundation's 2026 semifinalists are out, and the Bay Area landed a strong showing with its notable restaurants, bars and chefs.
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.
Here's who made the cut:
Outstanding Chef: Michael Tusk of Quince.
Outstanding Restaurant: Foreign Cinema.
Best New Restaurant: The Happy Crane.
Outstanding Hospitality: The House of Prime Rib.
Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages Program: The Progress.
Outstanding Bar: Smuggler's Cove.
Best New Bar: The Valley Club.
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Paul Einbund of The Morris.
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: Kevin Diedrich of Pacific Cocktail Haven.
Emerging Chef: Steve Joo of Joodooboo in Oakland.
Outstanding Restaurateur
- Stuart Brioza & Nicole Krasinski of the Atomic Workshop restaurant group (The Anchovy Bar, The Progress, State Bird Provisions).
- Srijith Gopinathan & Ayesha Thapar of Ettan, Copra, and Eylan in Palo Alto, San Francisco, Los Altos, & Menlo Park.
Best Chef: California
- Kim Alter of Nightbird.
- Harrison Cheney of Sons & Daughters.
- Brandon Rice of Ernest.
- Kosuke Tada of Mijoté.
- Sarah Cooper & Alan Hsu of Sun Moon Studio in Oakland.
- Geoff Davis of Burdell in Oakland.
- Fik Saleh & Reka Saleh of Fikscue Craft BBQ in Alameda.
💭 My thought bubble: I've been to all but three of the San Francisco-named restaurants, with Copra being among one of the best meals I had last year.
- I also dined at Burdell recently (highly recommend) and can't wait to try Joodooboo and Sun Moon Studio next time I'm in the East Bay!
What's next: Nominees will be announced on March 31 and the winners on June 15.