The James Beard Awards are almost like the Oscars for the stars of the food and drink scene in the United States.
Every year, the James Beard Foundation starts with a lengthy list of semifinalists announced in January, followed by a list of finalists in April. Finally, a winner in each category is selected by mid-June.
This year marks the 36th anniversary of the James Beard Awards, and the DMV area has been well represented with 16 semifinalists.
Who are the 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists from the Washington, D.C. area?
The DMV area’s food scene has 16 semifinalists across 10 unique categories!
Notably, the D.C. area only has one entry in the ‘Outstanding Chef’ category; 2 Amy’s chef, Peter Pastan, has the opportunity to reclaim the top chef in America accolade for the District, which we won back-to-back in 2023 and 2024!
Now, here are all of the 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists from the D.C. area, broken down by category:
Outstanding Chef
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Peter Pastan, 2 Amy’s, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Restaurateur
- Scott Drewno and Danny Lee, Fried Rice Collective (Anju, Chiko, and I Egg You), Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Restaurant
- Centrolina, Washington, D.C.
Emerging Chef
- Anthony Jones, Marcus DC, Washington, D.C.
Best New Restaurant
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Maison Bar à Vins, Washington, DC
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
- Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Hospitality
- Bresca, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
- Brent Kroll, Maxwell Park, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
- Christine Kim, Service Bar, Washington, D.C.
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic Region
- Matthew Adler, Cucina Morini, Washington, D.C.
- Fernando Gonzalez, 2Fifty TX BBQ, Washington, D.C.
- Miguel Guerra and Tatiana Mora, Mita, Washington, D.C.
- Johanna Hellrigl, Ama, Washington, D.C.
- Cagla Onal, My Little Chamomile, Washington, D.C.
- Suresh Sundash, Taipori, Washington, D.C.
- Darmyelesh Alemu, Beteseb, Silver Spring, MD