The semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards were announced on Wednesday, with 16 Washington candidates up for an award.
The semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Award s were announced on Wednesday, with 16 Washington candidates up for an award.Washington matched last year’s total with 16 semifinalists. However, the state has not had a winner since Rupee Bar in Ballard won for Restaurant Design in 2020, according toLooking at this year, Seattle’s Aaron Verzosa of Archipelago earned a spot among 20 Outstanding Chef semifinalists — a category honoring those who set “high culinary standards” and serve as “a positive example for other food professionals.
”Ahmed Suliman of Café Suliman in Seattle was named as an Emerging Chef semifinalist, who “displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come.”draws inspiration from several eateries in Egypt, North Africa, and the Arabian Gulf. The café serves comforting home-cooked food and is positioned as a “cozy spot” tucked inside a corner of Melrose Market in Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood.Two Seattle eateries were recognized as James Beard Award semifinalists, with The Wayland Mill in North Lake Union and Little Beast Ballard both collecting honors for Best New Restaurant. The Best New Restaurant category is defined as a restaurant that opened between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. These semifinalists demonstrated “consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.”Christina Wood of Temple Pastries in Seattle was honored as a semifinalist for 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,” the James Beard Foundation stated.in Seattle was recognized as a semifinalist for this award, labeled as a restaurant that provides exceptional care and skill in pairing wine and other beverages with food. “Le Caviste is a bistrot-à-vins, a wine-bar, offering a broad selection of wines from France, along with wine-based apéritifs,” the restaurant stated. “It is a warm and inviting refuge in the bustling heart of the city, where wines are chosen with care and priced to drink every day, accompanied by charcuterie, AOC fromages, and a few specialty plates from its tiny kitchen.”was named for the Outstanding Bar award, which includes any business whose primary offering is a beverage, including wine, beer, cocktails, and coffee. “ demonstrates consistent excellence in curating a selection or in the preparation of drinks, along with outstanding atmosphere, hospitality, and operations,” the James Beard Foundation stated.in Vancouver, Washington, was selected as one of the Best New Bars that opened between October 1, 2024, and September 30, 2025. The criteria for a best new bar include wine, beer, cocktail, or coffee bars that “demonstrate consistent excellence in the preparation of drinks, sourcing, service, hospitality, atmosphere, and operations.” The Elbow Room initially opened in 1970, and though it underwent an ownership change in July 2025, kept its iconic character intact and remains a staple in the Vancouver area.in Seattle was recognized as a service professional who creates and serves cocktails at a high standard, while demonstrating creativity, innovation, and excellence. “Our mission is simple: to provide an exceptional experience from classic favorites to innovative creations. Each cocktail is crafted by the team with care,” Rob Roy stated. “Geek out with us or just sit back and relax.”Several semifinalists were listed as Best Chef semifinalists in the Northwest and Pacific region, which includes Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.Thai Nguyen and Trinh Nguyen of Ramie in Capitol Hill.For the second straight year, Washington was shut out of two marquee categories: Outstanding Restaurateur and Outstanding Restaurant. The state hasn’t won the former since Tom Douglas in 2012. The regional Best Chef award has also been elusive, last going to the then-executive chef at Canlis, Brady Williams, in 2019, according toThe Restaurant and Chef nominees will be announced on March 31, with the winners being celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.The semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards were announced on Wednesday, with 16 Washington candidates up for an award.ORLANDO, Fla. — Texas supplied the most new residents of any U.S. state for nine other states, despite having the biggest population growth this decade, according to figures released this week by the U.S. Census Bureau. Texas was the top source of new residents for Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico Ryan Coogler’s blues-steeped vampire epic “Sinners” led all films with 16 nominations to the 98th Academy Awards on Thursday, setting a record for the most in Oscar history.WASHINGTON — Americans who smoke may soon be hearing a lot more about Zyn, the flavored nicotine pouches that have generated billions in sales while going viral on social media. The Food and Drug Administration is holding a public meeting Thursday to consider whether Philip Morris International can advertise its pouches as a less-harmful PROVIDENCE, R.I. — It’s been no small potatoes that Rhode Islanders have been able to choose the image of Mr. Potato Head as a specialty license plate for decades. Yet with Hasbro’s decision to move its headquarters from the smallest state in the U.S. to Boston, two lawmakers say it’s time to hash out WSECU Community Champion: Chrystal Ortega’s mission to feed Spokane Chrystal Ortega's tireless dedication recently earned her the WSECU Community Champions Award and a $1,000 grant to further the mission.When Shawn Tibbitts opened Tibbitts FernHill, he was just trying to survive. The small Tacoma restaurant has since earned culinary awards and praise.Wilcox Family Farms is continuing its cherished holiday tradition of giving back by donating nearly one million eggs to food banks across the South Sound region this season.Matthew Ballantyne has transformed that early awareness into action, embodying the organization's mission:"No Kid Sleeps On The Floor In Our Town."Discover Kitsap County’s creative soul: Where Nordic charm meets gothic gardens and ancient traditions thrive Kitsap County is full of wonderfully weird, authentically artsy, and unexpectedly magical corners that make visitors become locals and locals never want to leave.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
The Philly area nabs 13 James Beard Award semifinalists for 2026Among the 12 chefs and 4 restaurants are familiar names, as well as some surprises. Philly also has two bars in the running.
Read more »
Two local chefs and one San Diego bar named 2026 James Beard Award semifinalistsAnimae chef Tara Monsod has earned her third nomination, alongside Lilo chef Eric Bost for Best Chef: California and Convoy’s Realm of the 52 Remedies is up for Outstanding Bar
Read more »
James Beard Award 2026 semifinalists announced, including LA namesSome familiar names and new faces landed on the culinary awards’ semifinalist list.
Read more »
Over 20 Chicago chefs, restaurants make James Beard Award 2026 semifinalistsThe 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists list is out, and more than 20 Chicago restaurants, chefs and bartenders have made the grade.
Read more »
Here Are the DC-Area James Beard Award Semifinalists for 2026The website that Washington lives by.
Read more »
Barley Swine, Mercado Sin Nombre and 7 more Austin restaurants named James Beard Award semifinalistsOther Austin restaurants on the list include La Barbecue, Este and Lao'd Bar.
Read more »