+34
Two Bay Area professionals, Kevin Diedrich and Michael Tusk, won prestigious James Beard Awards on June 15 in Chicago. Diedrich of Pacific Cocktail Haven was honored for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, while Tusk of Quince received the Outstanding Chef award. Other Bay Area finalists, including a Peninsula duo and Oakland chefs, were finalists but did not win.
Two Bay Area winners took home major honors at the prestigious James Beard Awards at a ceremony held June 15 at the Lyric Opera House in Chicago.
Going into the ceremony, the list of Bay Area and Northern California candidates had already been narrowed significantly: Only six of the 24 semifinalists were named as finalists. Ultimately, of those, just two were named winners of the prestigious awards, which celebrate nationwide leaders in the food and beverage world: Kevin Diedrich of Pacific Cocktail Haven in San Francisco for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service, and Michael Tusk of Quince in San Francisco for Outstanding Chef.
Peninsula duo Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar — the team behind Ettan, in Palo Alto; Copra, in San Francisco; Eylan, in Menlo Park; and Little Blue Door, in Los Altos — were among the top five finalists nationwide up for the Outstanding Restaurateur award, and Sarah Cooper and Alan Hsu of Sun Moon Studio in Oakland were in the top five for the Best Chef award in the California region. Neither pair took home the top prize, though.
Diedrich, operating partner and bartender at Pacific Cocktail Haven in San Francisco, expressed gratitude to a number of people while accepting the medallion for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service during the “I honestly didn’t prepare anything. I’m just a bartender,” he remarked while accepting the award during the ceremony, which was broadcast online.
Diedrich thanked the James Beard Foundation for creating a category for bartenders like him along with a few mentors, and credited his team at Pacific Cocktail Haven for making him “look good every single day. ” Lastly, he thanked his wife of 17 years.
“She said she’d never marry or date a bartender, but now she’s married to an outstanding professional in cocktail service,” he said. “We really believe in what we do. We believe in hospitality. We’re always trying to create a better team, create a better work environment for the entire team,” he said.
“The amount of staff members is too lengthy to mention, but all of them, including all of the back of the house chefs over the years – I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for you. ” “The only thing I’d ask is if one day I can cook with all of you, since I’m sure you will all be up here one day also,” he said.
The event featured high-profile speakers and presenters like Run the Jewels, the latest “Top Chef” winner, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Many speeches throughout the night focused on the importance of immigrants in the U.S. food and restaurant systems.
“Chefs and their teams sit center stage on all the hot issues facing us right now, from food insecurity to pay equity to climate change to immigration and more. Our community comprises the problem solvers, the caretakers, and the change makers,” said Claire Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation.
“Tonight we recognize the many, many roles that you have to play to succeed today. ” The foundation also awarded its humanitarian award to No Us Without You, a nonprofit formed in Los Angeles during the COVID-19 pandemic to provide back-of-house staff, such as dishwashers and line and prep cooks, access to pantry essentials and fresh produce. They also helped to feed families at home to help them avoid ICE raids in nearby restaurants in the spring of 2025.
“From our loading docks to our fast food joints, from our farmlands to our dinner plates, immigrants make America great,” said nonprofit cofounder Damián Diaz. Sarah Thompson, Casa Playa, Las Vegas, NVRyan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland, ORLoryn Nalic, Balkan Treat Box, Webster Groves, MOJesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia, PAAdditionally, the California recipient named in this year’s America’s Classic category, representing timeless, independent restaurants that serve as community anchors, was The Serving Spoon in Inglewood, owned by Justin Johnson and Jessica Bane.
And the recipient of the foundation’s Lifetime Achievement award was Nancy Silverton, whose career spans four decades as a chef, baker, restaurateur, and author, particularly in Los Angeles with restaurants like Campanile and Osteria Mozza, and the La Brea Bakery.
“Through your work, you strengthen communities, you bridge cultures, and you create moments of connection that enrich all of our lives, all while serving truly delicious food,” Pritzker told attendees.
Scratch the next story
James Beard Awards Bay Area San Francisco Pacific Cocktail Haven Quince Kevin Diedrich Michael Tusk Bartender Chef Restaurant
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.
World Cup Watch Parties Bring Communities Together in the Bay AreaThe 2026 World Cup has brought a sense of unity and excitement to the Bay Area, with thousands of fans gathering at designated watch parties to cheer on their favorite teams. Despite some concerns about organization and logistics, the events have been a resounding success, with fans praising the atmosphere and energy of the gatherings. From San Jose to Oakland, fans of all ages have come together to celebrate the world's game, with live music, food, and drinks adding to the festive atmosphere.
Read more »
Bay Area events calendar for June 19-25 weekly editionsHere’s a list of the region’s entertaining, upcoming activities to enjoy.
Read more »
Bay Area events calendar for June 19-25 weekly editionsHere’s a list of the region’s entertaining, upcoming activities to enjoy.
Read more »
Judge: Evidence insufficient to prove murder in Bay Area teens’ fatal overdosesRamon Nunez Galvan was charged with selling narcotics to two teenagers who died from overdoses in February 2025.
Read more »