Raise a toast! Arizona has 12 James Beard Award semifinalists in 2026

PHOENIX — A dozen Arizona chefs and restaurants rose near the top of the culinary heap Wednesday when the James Beard Awards announced semifinalists for 2026.

Often called the “Food Oscars,” the prestigious national awards have long recognized Arizona’s culinary talent. Yotaka Martin, the chef at downtown Phoenix Thai restaurant Lom Wong, won the James Beard Award for best chef in the Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada and Oklahoma) last year. Chef Rene Andrade of Bacanora in Phoenix won in the same category in 2024.

This year, seven Arizonan chefs were selected as Southwest semifinalists:

• Roberto Centeno of Espiritu, a Mesa restaurant.
• TJ Culp of Restaurant Progress, which is in Phoenix.
• Rochelle Daniels of Atria, which is in Flagstaff.
• Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin of Tacos Chiwas, which has one location in Phoenix and one in Mesa.
• Scott Holmes of Little Miss BBQ, which has two locations in Phoenix.
• Kyle Kent of Chula Seafood, which has three locations: two in Scottsdale and one in Phoenix.
• Claudia Vindiola of La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood in Tucson.

Three more Arizonans among 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists

A single chef from Arizona is a semifinalist in the national outstanding chef category: Charleen Badman of FnB. The Scottsdale restaurant is known for showcasing Arizona’s farming and agricultural community and has been highlighted in the New York Times.

Additionally, two Arizonans were selected as semifinalists for outstanding professional in beverage service:

• Zac Adcox of Kid Sister, a Phoenix wine bar.
• Ross Simon of Little Rituals, a Phoenix cocktail bar.

Arizona’s 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists include restaurant, bar

One local establishment is a semifinalist for the best new restaurant category: Indibar, a fine dining restaurant founded by Masti Hospitality. According to AZCentral, this group comprises of five physicians.

“We are so incredibly proud and honored to have our restaurant be considered for a James Beard Award,” a statement from Indibar’s Facebook account said. “Huge shoutout to our wonderful chefs, Mr. Nigel J Lobo and Mr. Ajay Singh, and the entire rest of the team that has made this possible.”

Highball, a Phoenix cocktail lounge, is a semifinalist in the outstanding bar category. It’s a brand from Sky Restaurant Concepts, the Valley group behind Squid Ink Sushi, Urban Agave and Sparrow.

The 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist recognition was the bar’s first time earning the honor.

“Whether you’ve walked through our doors, shared a kind word, or raised a glass with us — it means more than we can ever express,” the business said in an Instagram post. “It’s an honor to be recognized alongside such talented, passionate people who continue to elevate our industry.”

The restaurant and chef nominees will be announced March 31, while the winners will be handed their awards in Chicago on June 15.

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