Louisiana Chefs and Restaurants on List of Final Nominees for James Beard Awards

There is no doubt Louisiana is one of the best states in the country for food. The latest nominees for awards from the James Beard Foundation support that claim. The Bayou State is well represented on the list of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award nominees for 2026.

For almost 40 years, the James Beard Awards are seen as the biggest honors for the folks in the food service industry. The group says "the Restaurant and Chef nominees embody exceptional talent and leadership within the independent restaurant industry."

READ MORE: Unique Louisiana Foods You Can't Get in Other States

What Louisiana Folks Are Being Honored this Year

Louisiana actually has one group nominated as Outstanding Restaurateur for the year.
Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski from the Link Restaurant Group. They own Pêche Seafood Grill, Herbsaint, Cochon, and others in the New Orleans area.

Who Are the Other Restauranteurs Nominated?

Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar from California.

Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani from Asheville, NC

Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught from Houston, TX

Dana Street, Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co., and others, Portland, ME

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Louisiana also has a nominee in the Emerging Chef category. E.J. Lagasse (son of Emeril Lagasse) is one of the chefs honored in this category.

The others are:

Fátima Juárez, Komal, Los Angeles, CA
Rasheeda Purdie, Ramen by Ra, New York, NY
Bailey Sullivan, Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio, Chicago, IL
Adrian Torres, Maximo, West University Place, TX

See the full list of nominees here.

The Nominees for Best Chef in the South

Ana Castro, Acamaya, New Orleans, LA
Bryce Bonsack, Rocca, Tampa, FL
Maria La Mota and Chason Spencer, Chancho King, Jacksonville, FL
Serigne Mbaye, Dakar NOLA, New Orleans, LA
Jason Paul, Heirloom at The 1907, Rogers, AR

Winners will be revealed at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 15, 2026 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.