Detroit Bar Misses James Beard Award, Leaving MI Without Any Winners

DETROIT — Detroit’s Bar Chenin fell short at Monday’s James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards, leaving Michigan without any 2026 winners.

The awards, regarded as the Academy Awards of the U.S. restaurant industry, honor excellence across a range of categories, from fine dining to casual gems.

Bar Chenin, which is inside Detroit's Siren Hotel, was among the nominees for Best New Bar. That category ultimaetly went to Loma, a Providence, Rhode Island bar that honors "Latin American timelessness and culture."

Bar Chenin was Michigan's only finalist at the award ceremony at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.

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.

Earlier this year, restaurants in six states were honored for classic menus. The foundation also named 20 chefs to watch in June.

Here's a look at those winners.

America’s Classics Award

Earlier this year, the James Beard Foundation announced America’s Classics awards to restaurants in California, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

These independently owned restaurants “reflect local character and cultural traditions and serve as an enduring anchor for their communities by serving delicious food across many years,” according to 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.

Detroit Chef Doug Hewitt, of, Freya and Chartreuse is apart of that group.

Chartreuse Kitchen and Cocktails is best known for its farm-to-table American cuisine. It has earned numerous accolades, including Yelp's No. 1 Detroit restaurant in 2017 and 2018.

Freya, known for its prix fixe tasting menus typically served with wine, has also earned high praise, including a spot in the New York Times' most exciting restaurants 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.

Chefs in Houston, New York, Detroit, Washington, Philadelphia, Chicago, San Francisco, Seattle, Atlanta, Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles and New Orleans are among the 20 to watch.

The Best Of The Rest

Michigan restaurants and chefs who were named semifinalists for the James Beard Awards in January were:

Best New Restaurant

• Echelon Kitchen and Bar, Ann Arbor

Best New Bar

• Bar Chenin, Detroit

Best Chef: Great Lakes

• Javier Bardauil, BARDA, Detroit
• Andy Elliott and Emily Stewart, Modern Bird, Traverse City
• James Galbraith, PostBoy, New Buffalo
• John Yelinek, Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit