Chicago's culinary scene has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation, with 23 local eateries, chefs, and bars making it to the semifinalist list for this year’s prestigious awards. Among them are EL Ideas, known for its eclectic American fare, and Kasama, a Ukrainian Village restaurant that recently earned its second Michelin star.
The Outstanding Restaurant award is among those being awarded, with only nine local restaurants vying for the title. Other notable nominees include Mi Tocaya Antojeria, where Diana Dávila was named an Outstanding Chef semifinalist; Galit, which Zachary Engel, another Outstanding Chef nominee, helms in Lincoln Park.
The James Beard Awards are often referred to as the "Oscars of the food world." This year's finalists will be announced on March 31, with the awards ceremony taking place at Chicago's Lyric Opera House on June 15. Past winners include restaurants like Kumiko and Oriole, who both took home top honors last year.
Some of this year’s semifinalists include Daisies for Outstanding Hospitality, Brasero for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program, and Hopleaf for Outstanding Bar. Sanders BBQ Supply Co., where Nick Kleutsch and James Sanders are nominated for Best Chef: Great Lakes, is also among the nominees.
The full list of Chicago-area 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists can be found below:
* EL Ideas
* Kasama
* Mi Tocaya Antojeria
* Galit
* Day Off Group (Rose Mary, il Carciofo, and BLVD Steakhouse)
* Daisies
* Brasero
* Hopleaf
* Sanders BBQ Supply Co.
* Best Intentions
* Thai Dang, HaiSous
* Danny Espinoza, Santa Masa Tamaleria
* Norman Fenton, Cariño
* Christopher Jung and Erling Wu-Bower, Maxwells Trading
* Mari Katsumura and Adam Sindler, SHŌ
* Nick Kleutsch and James Sanders, Sanders BBQ Supply Co.
* Rishi Kumar and Zubair Mohajir, Mirra
* Ben Lustbader and Sarah Mispagel, Loaf Lounge
* Jacob Potashnick, Feld
Chicago's food scene has been recognized once again by the prestigious James Beard Foundation, with a diverse range of restaurants and chefs making it to this year’s semifinalist list.
The Outstanding Restaurant award is among those being awarded, with only nine local restaurants vying for the title. Other notable nominees include Mi Tocaya Antojeria, where Diana Dávila was named an Outstanding Chef semifinalist; Galit, which Zachary Engel, another Outstanding Chef nominee, helms in Lincoln Park.
The James Beard Awards are often referred to as the "Oscars of the food world." This year's finalists will be announced on March 31, with the awards ceremony taking place at Chicago's Lyric Opera House on June 15. Past winners include restaurants like Kumiko and Oriole, who both took home top honors last year.
Some of this year’s semifinalists include Daisies for Outstanding Hospitality, Brasero for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program, and Hopleaf for Outstanding Bar. Sanders BBQ Supply Co., where Nick Kleutsch and James Sanders are nominated for Best Chef: Great Lakes, is also among the nominees.
The full list of Chicago-area 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists can be found below:
* EL Ideas
* Kasama
* Mi Tocaya Antojeria
* Galit
* Day Off Group (Rose Mary, il Carciofo, and BLVD Steakhouse)
* Daisies
* Brasero
* Hopleaf
* Sanders BBQ Supply Co.
* Best Intentions
* Thai Dang, HaiSous
* Danny Espinoza, Santa Masa Tamaleria
* Norman Fenton, Cariño
* Christopher Jung and Erling Wu-Bower, Maxwells Trading
* Mari Katsumura and Adam Sindler, SHŌ
* Nick Kleutsch and James Sanders, Sanders BBQ Supply Co.
* Rishi Kumar and Zubair Mohajir, Mirra
* Ben Lustbader and Sarah Mispagel, Loaf Lounge
* Jacob Potashnick, Feld
Chicago's food scene has been recognized once again by the prestigious James Beard Foundation, with a diverse range of restaurants and chefs making it to this year’s semifinalist list.
Chicago is killing it in the food scene! 
I'm so hyped for EL Ideas & Kasama, they're both serving up some amazing eats 
. And can we talk about the Outstanding Restaurant award? 
Only nine local restaurants are vying for it, which means the competition is gonna be fierce 
. Galit and Mi Tocaya Antojeria are also on my radar, Diana Dávila's cooking skills are on point 
. The James Beard Awards are like the Oscars of food, can't wait to see who takes home the top honors 
. And yay for all the other nominees too! 
The way I see it, this year's awards ceremony is gonna be a real showdown between the best of the best in Chicago's food scene. Fingers crossed for all these amazing restaurants and chefs... can't wait to see who takes home the gold! 
... fingers crossed for our Chicago foodies!
Can't wait to see who takes home the awards this year 
. The wine program at Brasero is just a bunch of fancy labels if you ask me. And don't even get me started on the cost of goin' there... ugh 
. Kasama's second Michelin star is huge too, those guys are pushing the boundaries of Ukrainian cuisine. The Outstanding Restaurant award is always a big deal, can't wait to see who takes it home 
. Love how the James Beard Awards bring some much-needed love to our local food scene 
. Can't believe we're already thinking about 2026 
.
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Here's a rough diagram to represent the semifinalists:
. And can we talk about the diversity on this list? From Ukrainian to Korean to Latin American cuisine, it's like a foodie's dream come true 
. The competition is gonna be fierce for those awards, but I'm rooting for the local chefs and restaurants who are putting in all that hard work 
️. The James Beard Awards are always so exciting, and it's great to see Chicago's food scene getting some serious recognition 
. Can't wait to see the full list and find out who wins what award