Roll out the red carpet, food lovers (but watch the crumbs). On Wednesday, Jan. 21, the semifinalists were announced for the 2026 James Beard Awards — one of the culinary world’s most prestigious prizes — and North Texas stars are shining bright.
You’ll find three local chefs up for awards based on excellence and other factors like commitment to the community. But it’s an honor just to be nominated — getting on the James Beard radar is a game-changer for any chef or restaurant, no matter how long they’ve been around.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, March 31, when the finalists will be announced. A Monday, June 15 ceremony in Chicago will reveal the winners. Here’s the local flavor.
You’re looking at Huff’s roasted corn and chocolate with rum caramel.
Photo by @mmhitalia
🏆 2026 semi-finalists
Far-Out | Dallas | Nominated for: Best New Restaurant | Chef Misti Norris wows customers with an eccentric menu — including butternut squash milanese, pepper braised pork shank cappelletti, and Texas pear meringue — inside an old Quonset hut.
Starship Bagel | Dallas | Nominated for: Outstanding Bakery | When owner Oren Salomon competed at Bagelfest 2025, he beat out all other NYC shops at their own game, winning Best Bagel. With three locations in DFW, the menu includes a line of bagel sandwiches, schmears, and add-ons.
Maggie Huff | Dallas | Nominated for: Outstanding Pastry Chef | In August 2023, Huff joined the team at the Lucia, contributing her first dish to the menu — a plum frangipane tart. Today, you can try her coconut sorbet with nectarines or hazelnut frangipane and goat cheese tart.
Ayahuasca Cantina | Dallas | Nominated for Outstanding Bar. Here, you will find craft cocktails inspired by traditional Mexican dishes, crafted with spirits straight from Mexican distilleries — such as the Quetzal, Tomate Martini, and Perla de Xocotl.
Gabe Sanchez | Dallas| Nominated for: Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service | If you find yourself in downtown Dallas, look for the underground lounge inside The Joule. Sanchez stirs up a mean Freezer Martini.
Several chefs in North Texas were also nominated in the category Best Chef: Texas including:
- Scott Girling of Osteria Il Muro (Denton)
- Patrick Hicks and Fasicka Hicks of Smoke’N Ash BBQ (Arlington)
- Masayuki Otaka of Mabo (Dallas)
Who’s up for a luxurious evening at a James Beard Award-nominated restaurant?
Photo by @donartemio.restaurant
🍽️ Past finalists to visit
Don Artemio Mexican Heritage, 3268 W. 7th St. | Run by chef Juan Ramón Cárdenas, the Cultural District eatery serves authentic flavors of northwest Mexico and was nominated as one of the top 10 finalists in the best new restaurant category in 2023.
Goldee’s Barbecue, 4645 Dick Price Rd. | The three pitmasters who co-own the barbecue joint — Jalen Heard, Lane Milne, and Jonny White — were nominated for Best Chef: Texas. In 2021, the restaurant was crowned the No. 1 spot for barbecue in Texas by Texas Monthly magazine.
🔮 Who’s going next?
Now we want to hear about your tastes. Are there restaurants or local chefs you think deserve some more love? Send us an email, and let us know about the unrecognized award-worthy meals.
