The finalists for the 2026 James Beard Award ceremony has been announced are several Philadelphia restaurants, chefs, and restaurateurs are in the running, writes Alicia Vitarelli for 6abc.
Up first is Kalaya, the Fishtown restaurant that is up for Outstanding Restaurant for the second consecutive year.
Its owner Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon has had four nominations, including winning Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic in 2023.
This year, three Philadelphia chefs are in the running for the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic award.
Jesse Ito of Royal Sushi & Izakaya earned his ninth nomination, Amanda Shulman of Her Place Supper Club earned her fourth nomination, and Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate of Honeysuckle earned their second nomination.
Next up is the Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday, which is a finalist for the Outstanding Bar for the second consecutive year after winning the award in 2023.
There were also a couple new, first-time finalists.
Namely, Justine MacNeil of Fiore Fine Foods in Fishtown is up for the Outstanding Pastry or Baker award, while Emmett in Kensington is a finalist for the Best New Restaurant category.
The 2026 James Beard Award ceremony is set to take place on June 15 in Chicago.
Read more about how Philadelphia is represented in this year’s finalists for the James Beard Award at 6abc.
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