Asbury Park Chef Named 2026 James Beard Semifinalist

ASBURY PARK, NJ — On Wednesday, the James Beard Foundation announced its 2026 James Beard semifinalists, and only two chefs in New Jersey made the list: Russ Cowan of Radin's Delicatessen in Cherry Hill and David Viana, executive chef/co-owner of Judy & Harry's in Asbury Park.

Judy & Harry's only opened in the past year at the former Heirloom at The St. Laurent, a boutique hotel on 7th Avenue in a residential section of Asbury Park.

That space is co-owned by Viana and his wife, Neilly Robinson, and in 2025 they did a total menu re-vamp and re-branding; they reopened midway through last year to serve Italian fare. The restaurant is named for Robinson's parents.

This is hardly Viana's first critical acclaim: He and his wife also own Heirloom Kitchen on Rt. 516 in Old Bridge, named one of USA Today's best restaurants in 2024. But the awards really started rolling in when they opened Lita, the Portuguese/Spanish restaurant on Rt. 34 in Aberdeen, where Viana is head chef. Lita was named a 2024 James Beard semifinalist, and was also named to Esquire's list of the "Best New Restaurants in America, 2023." It was the only restaurant in New Jersey to make that list.

The couple operates their businesses under their company Good Trouble Hospitality.

Nominees will be announced on March 31, and winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Previously on Patch: Heirloom At The St. Laurent In Asbury Park To Become Judy & Harry's (January 2025)

Heirloom Kitchen Expands Offerings In Old Bridge With New Sandwich Shop Abramzon & David's (May 2025)

James Beard Says Lita In Aberdeen Is The Best New Restaurant In NJ (January 2024)