9 CA Restaurants, Chefs Named 2026 James Beard Winners

From the Northern to Southern California, Golden State chefs and restaurants made an impression at this year's annual James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony recognizing the best-of-the-best in culinary talent throughout the country.

Multiple restaurants outshone the competition at the Lyric Opera in Chicago on Monday, with Southern California destinations dominating the prestigious event.

The James Beard Foundation awards is regarded as the restaurant industry's highest honor presented every year to chefs and restauranteurs across the country.

This year, Michael Tusk, chef-owner of Quince in San Francisco, took home the top honor of Outstanding Chef.

Also, David Beran, chef of Seline in Santa Monica, was awarded Best Chef: California.

Other winners and notable honors at the 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards include:

Outstanding Hospitality

• Providence, seafood restaurant led by Michael Cimarusti and Donato Poto (Los Angeles)

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

• Kato, restaurant led by Ryan Bailey and Austin Hennelly (Los Angeles)

Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service

• Kevin Diedrich, owner of Pacific Cocktail Haven (San Francisco)

Lifetime Achievement Award

• Nancy Silverton, chef and restaurateur (Los Angeles)

Humanitarian of the Year

Damián Diaz and Othón Nolasco, Founders of No Us Without You (Los Angeles)

Impact Award

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (Los Angeles)

America's Classics Award

The Serving Spoon (Inglewood)

What Is The James Beard Foundation?

Established in honor of the renowned chef and culinary author, the New York-based James Beard Foundation stands as a premier authority in the American food scene.

While it is famous for the namesake awards handed out Monday, the nonprofit is also dedicated to fostering a more sustainable, resilient, and equitable environment for independent restaurants, making its endorsement a highly coveted distinction.

Marking its 36th anniversary, the James Beard Awards were launched in 1990 to celebrate chefs and establishments that excel in culinary craft, food media, and the improvement of food systems. Beyond gastronomic excellence, the foundation evaluates nominees on their dedication to community impact, sustainability, and the promotion of racial and gender equity within the industry.

The awards presented Monday are the latest from the foundation.

20 Chefs To Watch

Earlier in June, the James Beard Foundation announced its 2026-27 TasteTwenty chefs, a national group of culinary professionals recognized as “ones to watch” in the independent restaurant industry.

In San Francisco, Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz of Maria Isabel Restaurant, were also James Beard Award Semifinalists, were named on the list.

In Los Angeles, Anna Sonenshein and Niki Vahle of Little Fish Melrose Hill also made the list.

The 20 chefs will headline events in their hometowns as part of the foundation’s Taste America culinary tour, which begins Sept. 16 in New Orleans and continues in cities across the country through March 2027.

The foundation said the chefs were selected not only for culinary talent but also for their work beyond the kitchen, including efforts such as supporting sustainable agriculture, investing in restaurant teams, elevating quality ingredients and advocating for a stronger food system.

The Best Of The Rest (Nominees)

California restaurants and chefs who were also nominated for a 2026 James Beard Foundation Award include:

Outstanding Restaurateur

Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar, Cal-India Collective (Ettan, Copra, Eylan and Little Blue Door), Palo Alto, San Francisco, Menlo Park, Los Altos, CA

Outstanding Chef

Gilberto Cetina, Holbox, Los Angeles, CA

Niki Nakayama, n/naka, Los Angeles, CA

Emerging Chef

Fátima Juárez, Komal, Los Angeles, CA

Best New Restaurant

Ki, Los Angeles, CA

Outstanding Bar

Smuggler's Cove, San Francisco, CA

Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service

Jack Benchakul, endorffeine coffee bar, Los Angeles, CA

Best Chef: California

Harrison Cheney, Sons & Daughters, San Francisco, CA

Sarah Cooper and Alan Hsu, Sun Moon Studio, Oakland, CA

Kwang Uh, Baroo, Los Angeles, CA

Daisy Ryan, Bell's, Los Alamos, CA