Here are D.C.'s 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists
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Anthony Jones, executive chef at Marcus DC, is a semifinalist for Emerging Chef. Photo: Scott Suchman/For The Washington Post via Getty Images
The James Beard Awards named their 2026 semifinalists Wednesday and over a dozen D.C.-area chefs, restaurants and bars in the running.
Why it matters: The semifinalist round kicks off the Beard Award season — the Oscars of the hospitality industry — before finalists and winners are chosen.
State of play: In the prized Outstanding Chef category, Peter Pastan of 2 Amy's made the cut.
- The Outstanding Restaurateur category includes Scott Drewno and Danny Lee of Fried Rice Collective (Anju, Chiko, and I Egg You).
- D.C. got spots in Outstanding Restaurant (Centrolina), Emerging Chef (Anthony Jones of Marcus DC), Best New Restaurant (Maison Bar à Vins), and more (full list below).
- Each category includes more than a dozen semifinalists.
Flashback: Last year, Causa and Amazonia owner Carlos Delgado took home the win for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.
The big picture: The hospitality award scene has gotten more crowded and competitive. There's the recent arrival of the World's 50 Best brand, and the Beards expanding their categories to bars and beverage pros.
- That doesn't always mean lists are more dynamic. Michelin's latest D.C. guide didn't add any new stars for the first time ever.
What's next: Finalists will be announced March 31, and winners will be celebrated at a Chicago ceremony on June 15.
🏅 The full list of D.C.-area semifinalists:
Outstanding Restaurateur
- Scott Drewno and Danny Lee, Fried Rice Collective (Anju, Chiko, and I Egg You) — D.C.
Outstanding Chef
- Peter Pastan, 2 Amy's — D.C.
Outstanding Restaurant
- Centrolina — D.C.
Emerging Chef
- Anthony Jones, Marcus DC — D.C.
Best New Restaurant
- Maison Bar à Vins — D.C.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
- Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit — D.C.
Outstanding Hospitality
- Bresca — D.C.
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
- Field & Main — Marshall, Virginia
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
- Brent Kroll, Maxwell Park — D.C.
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
- Christine Kim, Service Bar — D.C.
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
- Matthew Adler, Cucina Morini — D.C.
- Darmyelesh Alemu, Beteseb — Silver Spring, Maryland
- Fernando Gonzalez, 2Fifty TX BBQ — D.C.
- Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora, Mita — D.C.
- Johanna Hellrigl, Ama — D.C.
- Cagla Onal, My Little Chamomile — D.C.
- Suresh Sundas, Tapori — D.C.