Santa Monica Chef A Finalist For Prestigious James Beard Award

SANTA MONICA, CA — A Santa Monica-based chef has been named a finalist for the 2026 James Beard Award for most outstanding California chef.

Dave Beran, the chef at Seline, a French fine dining restaurant, is one of five chefs from across the state vying for the honor. The nominees also include Kwang Uh, the chef at Baroo, a Korean restaurant in Los Angeles' downtown Arts District.

The other finalists are chefs at restaurants in San Francisco, Oakland and Los Alamos.

Southern California eateries failed to garner any nominations for outstanding restaurant or restaurateur, although Providence on Melrose Avenue was named a finalist for outstanding hospitality.

Kato in downtown L.A. was named a finalist for outstanding wine and other beverages program.

The full list of 2026 nominees is available here.