2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Presented by American Express and Resy

Every year, the James Beard Awards® celebrate the best of the best in American food culture. To earn a James Beard Award is to join a constellation of culinary excellence and leadership, which shapes the landscape of our nation's cuisine today and in the future. The Restaurant and Chef Awards feature red carpet arrivals and an Awards ceremony at Chicago’s historic Lyric Opera, honoring excellence across the independent restaurant industry. Author, Producer, and Top Chef Judge Gail Simmons will host, joined by presenters like James Beard Award Winners Daniel Humm and Mashama Bailey, Killer Mike and El-P of Run the Jewels, and more. The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to leading chefs and the broader culinary industry towards a new standard of excellence. Learn more at jamesbeard.org