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Los Angeles Wins Multiple James Beard Awards at 2026 Ceremony

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2026 James Beard Awards: Los Angeles Shines in Chicago

The 2026 James Beard Awards were hosted in Chicago on June 15, with Los Angeles-based winners taking home several top honors.

Top Honors for Los Angeles

Best Chef: California: Dave Beran of Seline (Santa Monica) received the award for his Santa Monica restaurant. Seline serves a 15-18 course tasting menu. In his acceptance speech, Beran thanked the people in his life.

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: Kato (Los Angeles) was recognized for its exceptional beverage program, run by Ryan Bailey and Austin Hennelly. Bailey thanked Los Angeles for its support.

Outstanding Hospitality: Providence (Los Angeles) was honored for its renowned service. Owned by Michael Cimarusti and Donato Poto, the restaurant opened in 2005 and received its third Michelin star in 2025. Poto stated, "Hospitality is an art of reaching out a hand without asking for anything in return."

Other Notable Finalists

Additional finalists from Los Angeles included:

  • Fátima Juárez (Komal)
  • Jack Benchakul (Endorffeine)
  • Ki
  • Gilberto Cetina (Holbox)
  • Niki Nakayama (N/Naka)

Background: A Reformed Institution

The James Beard Foundation Awards, established in 1991, recognize achievements in the food and hospitality industry. The awards were canceled in 2020 and 2021 following allegations of misconduct and lack of diversity. The foundation implemented reforms, including an ethics committee and diversified judges, before resuming in 2022.

Additional Award Winners

  • America's Classics Award: The Serving Spoon (Inglewood, founded 1983) was a recipient.
  • Humanitarian of the Year: Damián Diaz and Othón Nolasco of No Us Without You, which supports undocumented restaurant workers.
  • Impact Award: Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).
  • Lifetime Achievement Award: Nancy Silverton, recognized for her career at Campanile, Chi Spacca, and Mozza. In her speech, she thanked restaurants everywhere.

Note: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the James Beard Foundation Awards voting body.