Nancy Silverton, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) and No Us Without You will also receive honorary awards.
in the Arts District. The two were named in the same category alongside Harrison Cheney of Sons & Daughters , Sarah Cooper and Alan Hsu of Sun Moon Studio and Daisy Ryan of Bell’s .“It’s been a dream to be considered for a James Beard Award, and a dream come true to be able to receive this Humanitarian Achievement Award,” said Damián Diaz, in a written release.
“This win is for all day laborers, street food vendors, and back-of-house workers across the country, who keep this broken machine afloat! ¡Puro pa’ delante!”The James Beard Awards began awarding the food and hospitality industry in 1991. Categories include outstanding restaurant, best chef, outstanding bar and outstanding bakery, to name a few. The entire list of the 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards’ restaurant and chef nominees are as follows: Outstanding Restaurateur: “A restaurateur who uses their establishment as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship, and integrity in restaurant operations.” Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar, Cal-India Collective , Palo Alto, San Francisco, Menlo Park, Los Altos, CADonald Link and Stephen Stryjewski, Link Restaurant Group , New Orleans, LADana Street, Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co., and others, Portland, ME Outstanding Chef: “A chef who sets high culinary standards and has served as a positive example for other food professionals.”Vicia, St. Louis, MO Emerging Chef: “A chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.”Rasheeda Purdie, Ramen by Ra, New York, NYAdrian Torres, Maximo, West University Place, TX Best New Restaurant: “A restaurant opened between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations. Those establishments that have opened after September 30, 2025, can be considered for the 2027 Awards.”Outstanding Bakery: “A baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.”Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: “A pastry chef or baker who makes desserts, pastries, or breads. Candidate demonstrates exceptional skills and can be affiliated with any food business and does not need a brick-and mortar presence.”Outstanding Hospitality: “A restaurant, bar, or bakery that fosters a sense of hospitality among its customers and staff that serves as a beacon for the community and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.”Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: “A restaurant that demonstrates exceptional care and skill in the pairing of wine and other beverages with food. This includes the selection, preparation, and serving of wine, cocktails, spirits, coffee, tea, beer, or any other beverage with outstanding hospitality and service that helps inform and enhance a customer’s appreciation of the beverage. Ethical sourcing will also be considered.”Outstanding Bar: “A wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar, or any other business whose primary offering is beverage and that demonstrates consistent excellence in curating a selection or in the preparation of drinks, along with outstanding atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.”Best New Bar: “A wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar, or any other business whose primary offering is beverage, opened between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, that already demonstrates excellence in beverages, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in the preparation of drinks, sourcing, service, hospitality, atmosphere, and operations. Those establishments that have opened after September 30, 2025, can be considered for the 2027 Awards.”Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: “A service professional who curates and serves wine, beer, or other offerings such as sake, low- and non-alcoholic beverages in a restaurant or bar setting; or winery, distillery or brewery that also serves food. Candidate has set high standards; demonstrates creativity and consistency in excellence, innovation, and hospitality; is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture; and has served as an exceptional example or mentor for other beverage professionals.”Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: “A service professional who creates and serves cocktails or other offerings such as low- and non-alcoholic beverages. Candidate has set high standards; demonstrates creativity and consistency in excellence, innovation, and hospitality; is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture; and has served as an exceptional example or mentor for other beverage professionals.”The best things we ate at Southern California restaurants in MarchBest Chefs: “Chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions.”Daisy Ryan, Bell’s, Los Alamos, CASuresh Sundas, Tapori, Washington, D.C.Zak Baker, Ca’Lucchenzo, Wauwatosa, WIBest Chef: Mountain Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver, COMaria La Mota and Chason Spencer, Chancho King, Jacksonville, FLJoe Cash, Scoundrel, Greenville, SCDavid Willocks, The Baker’s Table, Newport, KYSarah Thompson, Casa Playa, Las Vegas, NV75 arrested in downtown LA at ‘No Kings’ protest; federal officers injured, authorities sayLASD deputy, 30, dies in Baker to Vegas relay race‘No Kings’ protesters in Southern California among 8 million demonstrators across the USHere are the budget priorities for LA County state lawmakersKTLA layoffs hit local TV news hosts Mark Kriski, Lu Parker and Glen Walker
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