Tampa Chef Among 2026 James Beard Semifinalists

TAMPA, FL — The chef of a Michelin-starred restaurant in Tampa was among the 10 Florida restaurants and chefs named 2026 James Beard semifinalists, the organization announced Wednesday.

The semifinalists are across 14 categories with best chef semifinalists named in a dozen regions.
Bryce Bonsack, chef and owner of Rocca, was named a 2026 semifinalist in the Best Chef: South category.

Patch has reached out to Rocca for a statement from Bonsack or the restaurant team. This article will be updated when they respond.

Rocca, which calls Tampa Heights home, was awarded a star by the Michelin Guide Miami, Orlando and Tampa in 2023.

The Italian restaurant was also awarded Bib Gourmand status, which is for eateries offering excellent value for high-quality food, by Michelin in 2022 when the guide launched in Florida.

A Tampa native, Bonsack spent time living in Monforte d’Alba, Italy where he honed his skills.

He also spent several years working for two Michelin-starred New York City restaurants, Blanca and Corton.

Bonsack’s time abroad influenced Rocca’s menu, which showcases handmade pasta, dry aged meats and mozzarella pulled tableside, the restaurant’s website said.

See Also:

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The menu is deeply rooted in the classic Italian dining experience and traditional recipes while incorporating the modern techniques he learned while in New York.

“The coming together of the two results in flavors that are rustic, yet refined, simple, yet beautiful and approachable by nature,” the restaurant’s website said. .

According to Rocca’s Michelin Guide listing, “Bonsack blends his New York know-how with Italian training to great effect in this of-the-moment eatery. Naturally, there's an assortment of pastas, skillfully made in house and showcasing classic flavors and scrupulous technique, as in spaghetti al limone, tossed with knobs of blue crab and lemon, shaved garlic and zucchini. Guests gush over mozzarella hand pulled to order in a tableside cart, but the flavor outshines the show. Perhaps most exciting of all are the displays of originality and dessert is a delightful bookend to an impressive meal. In particular, the chocolate custard with espresso cream and a pizzelle hits the mark.”

Florida dominated the Best Chef: South category this year. Bonsack’s competition includes:

• Cory Bahr, Parish, Monroe, LA

• Michael Beltran, Ariete, Miami, FL

• Bryce Bonsack, Rocca, Tampa, FL

• Ana Castro, Acamaya, New Orleans, LA

• Matthew Cooper, Conifer, Bentonville, AR

• Raúl Correa, René Marichal, and Xavier Pacheco, Bacoa Finca + Fogón, Juncos, PR

• Toni Elkhouri, Cedar's Cafe, Melbourne, FL

• Hunter Evans, Elvie's, Jackson, MS

• Maria Teresa Gallina and Nicolas Martinez, Recoveco, Miami, FL

• Kristen Hall, La Fête, Birmingham, AL

• Barry Honan, Lotus Noodle Bar, St. Augustine, FL

• Maria La Mota and Chason Spencer, Chancho King, Jacksonville, FL

• Wendy Lopez, Reyes Mezcaleria, Orlando, FL

• Serigne Mbaye, Dakar NOLA, New Orleans, LA

• Geri-Martha O'Hara and Ryan O'Hara, Pizza Grace, Birmingham, AL

• Jason Paul, Heirloom at 1907, Rogers, AR

• Charly Pierre, Fritai, New Orleans, LA

• Joerick Rivera, Bakku, Rincon, PR

• Jim Smith, The Hummingbird Way, Mobile, AL

• Austin Sumrall, White Pillars, Biloxi, MS

In the greater Tampa Bay area, Lakeland’s Born & Bread Bakehouse also got a nod in the Outstanding Bakery category.