LOCALIZE IT: James Beard nominees have been announced and they have ties to nearly 40 states

EDITORS/NEWS DIRECTORS:

The culinary world’s equivalent of the Oscars announced its list of nominees Wednesday. From this group winners will be announced in 25 categories of restaurants, chefs and others at the ceremony for the James Beard Awards this summer.

The James Beard Foundation established the awards in 1990 and has bestowed them since 1991, except in 2020 and 2021 when the organization scrapped them as the restaurant industry was reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Restaurants apply for the awards. Judges, who mostly remain anonymous, try the cuisine before voting. Nominees are reviewed for the food as well as for a behavioral “code of ethics,” including how employees are treated.

The awards will be held in June.

FIND YOUR STATE: JAMES BEARD NOMINEES

We’ve broken out by state the nominees for all categories including Outstanding Restaurateur, Outstanding Chef, Outstanding Restaurant, Emerging Chef, Best New Restaurant, Outstanding Bakery, Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, Outstanding Hospitality, Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program, Outstanding Bar, Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service and Best Chefs by region.

There are also nominees listed for Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. View all nominees here along with a a list of people receiving various achievement awards. You can view the previously published list of semifinalists here. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony in Chicago on June 15.

ALABAMA

Bottega, Birmingham, AL — Outstanding Hospitality

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ALASKA

Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop, Anchorage, AK — Outstanding Bakery

Nathan Bentley, Altura Bistro, Anchorage, AK — Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)

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ARKANSAS

Onyx Coffee Lab, Rogers, AR — Outstanding Bar

Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)

Jason Paul, Heirloom at The 1907, Rogers, AR — Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)

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CALIFORNIA

Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar, Cal-India Collective (Ettan, Copra, Eylan and Little Blue Door), Palo Alto, San Francisco, Menlo Park, Los Altos, CA — Outstanding Restaurateur

Gilberto Cetina, Holbox, Los Angeles, CA — Outstanding Chef

Niki Nakayama, n/naka, Los Angeles, CA — Outstanding Chef

Michael Tusk, Quince, San Francisco, CA — Outstanding Chef

Fátima Juárez, Komal, Los Angeles, CA — Emerging Chef

Ki, Los Angeles, CA — Best New Restaurant

Providence, Los Angeles, CA — Outstanding Hospitality

Kato, Los Angeles, CA — Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

Smuggler’s Cove, San Francisco, CA — Outstanding Bar

Jack Benchakul, endorffeine coffee bar, Los Angeles, CA — Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service

Kevin Diedrich, Pacific Cocktail Haven, San Francisco, CA — Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service

Dave Beran, Seline, Santa Monica, CA — Best Chef: California

Harrison Cheney, Sons & Daughters, San Francisco, CA — Best Chef: California

Sarah Cooper and Alan Hsu, Sun Moon Studio, Oakland, CA — Best Chef: California

Kwang Uh, Baroo, Los Angeles, CA — Best Chef: California

Daisy Ryan, Bell’s, Los Alamos, CA — Best Chef: California

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COLORADO

Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction, CO — Outstanding Chef

Ryan Fletter, Barolo Grill, Denver, CO — Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service

McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, Yacht Club, Denver, CO — Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service

Johnny Curiel, Alma Fonda Fina, Denver, CO — Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)

Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver, CO — Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)

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CONNECTICUT

David Standridge, The Shipwright’s Daughter, Mystic, CT — Outstanding Chef

The Port of Call, Mystic, CT — Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

David DiStasi, Materia Ristorante, Bantam, CT — Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

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FLORIDA

Bryce Bonsack, Rocca, Tampa, FL — Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)

Maria La Mota and Chason Spencer, Chancho King, Jacksonville, FL — Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)

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GEORGIA

Aria, Atlanta, GA — Outstanding Hospitality

J. Trent Harris, Mujō, Atlanta, GA — Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)

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HAWAII

Neale Asato, Asato Family Shop, Honolulu, HI — Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

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IDAHO

Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering, Boise, ID — Outstanding Hospitality

Bar, Please!, Boise, ID — Best New Bar

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ILLINOIS

Bailey Sullivan, Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio, Chicago, IL — Emerging Chef

Norman Fenton, Cariño, Chicago, IL — Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)

Jacob Potashnick, Feld, Chicago, IL — Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)

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KENTUCKY

David Willocks, The Baker’s Table, Newport, KY — Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)

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LOUISIANA

Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski, Link Restaurant Group (Pêche Seafood Grill, Herbsaint, Cochon, and others), New Orleans, LA — Outstanding Restaurateur

E.J. Lagasse, Emeril’s, New Orleans, LA — Emerging Chef

Ana Castro, Acamaya, New Orleans, LA — Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)

Serigne Mbaye, Dakar NOLA, New Orleans, LA — Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR)

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MAINE

Dana Street, Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co., and others, Portland, ME — Outstanding Restaurateur

Thomas Takashi Cooke, Izakaya Minato, Portland, ME — Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

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MICHIGAN

Bar Chenin, Detroit, MI — Best New Bar

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MINNESOTA

Shigeyuki Furukawa, Kado No Mise, Minneapolis, MN — Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)

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MISSOURI

Vicia, St. Louis, MO — Outstanding Restaurant

Anjin, Kansas City, MO — Best New Restaurant

Robin, St. Louis, MO — Best New Restaurant

Louie, Clayton, MO — Outstanding Hospitality

Loryn Nalic, Balkan Treat Box, Webster Groves, MO — Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)

Nick Bognar, Sado, Pavilion, St. Louis, MO — Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)

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MONTANA

Wild Crumb, Bozeman, MT — Outstanding Bakery

Earl James Reynolds, Herb & Omni, Whitefish, MT — Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)

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NEBRASKA

David Utterback, Yoshitomo, Ota, Omaha, NE — Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)

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NEVADA

Tamba, Las Vegas, NV — Best New Restaurant

Brian Howard, Sparrow + Wolf, Las Vegas, NV — Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)

Sarah Thompson, Casa Playa, Las Vegas, NV — Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)

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NEW HAMPSHIRE

Super Secret Ice Cream, Bethlehem, NH — Outstanding Bakery

Evan Hennessey, Stages, Dover, NH — Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

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NEW MEXICO

Bow & Arrow Brewing Co., Albuquerque, NM — Outstanding Bar

Steve Riley, Mesa Provisions, Albuquerque, NM — Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)

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NEW YORK

The Four Horsemen, Brooklyn, NY — Outstanding Restaurant

Rasheeda Purdie, Ramen by Ra, New York, NY — Emerging Chef

Lei, New York, NY — Best New Restaurant

Chambers, New York, NY — Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

Clemente Bar, New York, NY — Best New Bar

Lee Campbell, Borgo, New York, NY — Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service

Ivy Mix, Whoopsie Daisy, Brooklyn, NY — Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service

Fidel Caballero, Corima, New York, NY — Best Chef: New York State

Giovanni Cervantes, Carnitas Ramirez, New York, NY — Best Chef: New York State

Hooni Kim, Meju, Queens, NY — Best Chef: New York State

Ayesha Nurdjaja, Shukette, New York, NY — Best Chef: New York State

Joshua Pinsky, Claud, New York, NY — Best Chef: New York State

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NORTH CAROLINA

Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani, Chai Pani Restaurant Group (Chai Pani and Botiwalla), Asheville, NC — Outstanding Restaurateur

Taylor Montgomery, Montgomery Sky Farm, Leicester, NC — Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)

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OHIO

Vinnie Cimino, Cordelia, Cleveland, OH — Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)

Sarah Dworak, Sudova, Cincinnati, OH — Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)

Jeffery Harris, Nolia Kitchen, Cincinnati, OH — Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)

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OKLAHOMA

Later Bye, Oklahoma City, OK — Best New Bar

Jeff Chanchaleune, Bar Sen, Oklahoma City, OK — Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)

Zack Walters, Sedalia’s, Oklahoma City, OK — Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)

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OREGON

Scotch Lodge, Portland, OR — Outstanding Bar

Thomas Pisha-Duffly, Gado Gado, Portland, OR — Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)

Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland, OR — Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)

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PENNSYLVANIA

Kalaya, Philadelphia, PA — Outstanding Restaurant

Emmett, Philadelphia, PA — Best New Restaurant

Justine MacNeil, Fiore, Philadelphia, PA — Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

The Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia, PA — Outstanding Bar

Nathan Flaim, Luca, Lancaster, PA — Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)

Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia, PA — Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)

Amanda Shulman, Her Place Supper Club, Philadelphia, PA — Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)

Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate, Honeysuckle, Philadelphia, PA — Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)

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PUERTO RICO

Nicky Fas, Pantera, Caguas, PR — Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service

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RHODE ISLAND

Loma, Providence, RI — Best New Bar

Derek Wagner, Nicks on Broadway, Providence, RI — Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

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SOUTH CAROLINA

Merci, Charleston, SC — Best New Restaurant

Weltons Tiny Bakeshop, Charleston, SC — Outstanding Bakery

Joe Cash, Scoundrel, Greenville, SC — Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)

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TENNESSEE

The Catbird Seat, Nashville, TN — Outstanding Restaurant

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TEXAS

Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught, H Town Restaurant Group (Hugo’s, Xochi, Urbe, and others), Houston, TX — Outstanding Restaurateur

Mixtli, San Antonio, TX — Outstanding Restaurant

Adrian Torres, Maximo, West University Place, TX — Emerging Chef

Agnes and Sherman, Houston, TX — Best New Restaurant

Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Nicosi, San Antonio, TX — Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

Maggie Huff, Lucia, Dallas, TX — Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

June Rodil, March, Houston, TX — Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service

Ope Amosu, ChòpnBlọk, Houston, TX — Best Chef: Texas

Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu, JŪN, Houston, TX — Best Chef: Texas

Scott Girling, Osteria Il Muro, Denton, TX — Best Chef: Texas

Gabe Padilla and Melissa Padilla, Café Piro, Socorro, TX — Best Chef: Texas

Finn Walter, The Nicolett, Lubbock, TX — Best Chef: Texas

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UTAH

Travis Herbert, Felt Bar & Eatery, Salt Lake City, UT — Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)

Nick Zocco, Urban Hill, Salt Lake City, UT — Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)

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VERMONT

Paul Trombly, Fancy’s, Burlington, VT — Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

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VIRGINIA

Field & Main Restaurant, Marshall, VA — Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

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WASHINGTON

Johnny Courtney, Atoma, Seattle, WA — Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)

Aaron Tekulve, Surrell, Seattle, WA — Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)

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WASHINGTON, D.C.

Maison Bar à Vins, Washington, D.C. — Best New Restaurant

Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C. — Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

Brent Kroll, Maxwell Park, Washington, D.C. — Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service

Suresh Sundas, Tapori, Washington, D.C. — Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)

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WEST VIRGINIA

Mary Ellen Diaz, Alma Bea, Shepherdstown, WV — Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)

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WISCONSIN

1033 Omakase, Milwaukee, WI — Best New Restaurant

Cultured, Sister Bay, WI — Outstanding Bakery

Sway Brewing & Blending, Baileys Harbor, WI — Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program

Hastings Cameron, Imaginary Factory, Madison, WI — Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service

Zak Baker, Ca’Lucchenzo, Wauwatosa, WI — Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)

Localize It is a resource produced regularly by The Associated Press for its customers’ use. Questions can be directed to the Local News Success team at localizeit@ap.org. View guides published in the last 30 days here.

FILE - People arrive for the James Beard Awards, June 10, 2024, at the Civic Opera House in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley, File)

GUADALAJARA, Mexico (AP) — Congo scored in extra time to edge Jamaica 1-0 on Tuesday and become the 47th of 48 teams that will play at the World Cup.

Axel Tuanzebe scored following a corner kick in the 100th minute of the intercontinental playoff. The Jamaican defenders failed to clear the ball and Tuanzebe, who plays for Burnley in the English Premier League tapped it into the net.

Congo has never played in a World Cup under that name, although it participated in the 1974 edition in Germany as Zaire.

With its victory in the intercontinental playoff at the Akron Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, the Congolese team completes Group K at the World Cup, where it will face Colombia, Portugal, and Uzbekistan.

“We’re going to enjoy the qualification, but we’ll keep working. We know we’ll be facing top nations who play in the World Cup every four years," Congo captain Chancel Mbemba said. "We’ll stay humble, keep our feet on the ground, and continue to work. We’ll give everything to make our supporters and our people proud.”

The Jamaica team, known as the Reggae Boyz, missed out on what would have been a second World Cup appearance. They have only took part once in the world’s biggest football tournament, in 1998.

Congo had chances to take the lead twice during regulation time. Nathanael Mbuku's 4th-minute effort and Samuel Moutossamy's in the 85th were ruled out for offside.

The full list of 48 teams participating in the World Cup was set to be finalized later Tuesday in Mexico when Bolivia played Iraq at Monterrey. The winner will join Group I, which already includes France, Norway, and Senegal.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

DR Congo's players celebrate at the end of the World Cup playoff final soccer match between DR Congo and Jamaica in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)

DR Congo's players celebrate at the end of the World Cup playoff final soccer match between DR Congo and Jamaica in Guadalajara, Mexico, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. (AP Photo/Eduardo Verdugo)