The James Beard Foundation just announced America’s semifinalists for this year’s awards. These talents embody American culinary excellence, according to the James Beard Award Foundation. The awards honor some of the best culinary creatives across the country ever since their inception in 1990.
The chefs below already reached a major career milestone by making this semifinalist short list. The official winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, with the winners celebrated on June 15 at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
New England’s James Beard Award semifinalists for 2026
41 New England chefs and establishments made the prestigious list. Between Boston, Cambridge, and Quincy, there are 11 nominees total.
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
- Shi Mei, Lenox Sophia, Boston, MA
- Sāsha Coleman, Comfort Kitchen, Boston, MA
- Amarilys Colon, La Padrona, Boston, MA
- Luke Fetbroth, Tonino, Boston, MA
- Peter Nguyen, Lê Madeline, Quincy, MA
- Tiara Adorno, The Crooked Ram, Manchester, VT
- Jeremy Broucek, Bread & Friends, Portland, ME
- David DiStasi, Materia Ristorante, Bantam, CT
- Chris Gould, Central Provisions, Portland, ME
- Evan Hennessey, Stages, Dover, NH
- Bolivar Hilario, Community Table, New Preston, CT
- Sara Jenkins, Nina June, Rockport, ME
- Kevin O’Donnell, Giusto, Newport, RI
- Annie Parisi, Jayd Bun, South Kingstown, RI
- Jake Stevens, Leeward, Portland, ME
- Thomas Takashi Cooke, Izakaya Minato, Portland, ME
- Shilimat Tessema, Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant, New Haven, CT
- Paul Trombly, Fancy’s, Burlington, VT
- Max Vogel, Ondis, Montpelier, VT
- Derek Wagner, Nicks on Broadway, Providence, RI
Outstanding Restaurateur
- Leslie McCrorey Wells, Pizzeria Verità, Trattoria Delia, Sotto Enoteca, and others, Burlington, VT
- Dana Street, Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co., and others, Portland, ME
Outstanding Chef
- David Standridge, The Shipwright’s Daughter, Mystic, CT
Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water
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O Ya, Boston, MA
Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water
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Pao Thampitak, Gaaeng Supper Club, Boston, MA
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Jasmine Watson, Audette, Newport, RI
Best New Restaurant
- Café Monette, St. Albans, VT
- Claudine, Providence, RI
- ROLi, New Haven, CT
Outstanding Bakery
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Night Moves Bread, South Portland, ME
- Super Secret Ice Cream, Bethlehem, NH
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
- Monica Glass, Verveine Cafe & Bakery, Cambridge, MA
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Whitney Stancil, Cuvée at Chatham Inn, Chatham, MA
Outstanding Hospitality
- Ostra, Boston, MA
- State Road, Martha’s Vineyard, MA
Outstanding Beverage Program
- The Port of Call, Mystic, CT
- Talulla, Cambridge, MA
Outstanding Bar
- Spoke Wine Bar, Somerville, MA
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
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Alyssa Mikiko DiPasquale, The Koji Club, Boston, MA
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
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Jesse Hedberg, Club Frills, Providence, RI
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Kate Wise, Juniper Bar, Burlington, VT
Stay tuned to find out who’s named among the James Beard finalists at the end of March!