Here’s the list of 2026 James Beard award semifinalists for New Orleans, Mississippi Gulf Coast
A new slate of New Orleans, Louisiana and Gulf Coast regional restaurants and chefs is in the running for this year’s James Beard Foundation awards, including well-known names, rising talent, bakers and pros in the wine realm.
The culinary organization has released its list of semifinalists for these high-profile honors.
The long list of national semifinalists has for the past few years shown a broader range of restaurant styles, price ranges and cuisines, and once again that’s true of the local semifinalists, too.
The list will be narrowed to finalists, scheduled to be named on March 31, along with winners of the foundation’s leadership, humanitarian of the year and lifetime achievement awards.
Chef and restaurant awards winners will be named during a gala event in Chicago on June 15.
New Orleans typically has many contenders each year, but has won fewer awards in recent years.
In 2025, more than a dozen local names were listed as semifinalists, though just one made the cut to finalist, Lagniappe Bake House, the new bakery cafe in Central City from Kaitlin Guerin, and none won chef or restaurant awards.
Dooky Chase’s Restaurant was also named last year to the group’s America’s Classics, a honor recognizing restaurant that are notable contributors to their community’s food, culture and traditions.
New Orleans semifinalists for 2026 year by category are:
Outstanding Restaurateur
Photo by DANIEL ERATH — The Youth Empowerment Project held a fundraiser cocktail party at the new home of Kendall and Patrick Schindler. YEP Cocktail Party, October 3, 2017 — Donald Link, Stephen Stryjewski
Donald Link and Stephen Stryjewski, Link Restaurant Group (which includes Pêche Seafood Grill, Herbsaint, Cochon, Gianna, Cochon Butcher, La Boulangerie)
Emerging Chef
E.J. Lagasse, chef and co-owner of Emeril’s Restaurant in New Orleans, directs a tasting menu at his family’s restaurant. (Photo by Chris Granger, The Times-Picayune)
E.J. Lagasse, Emeril’s Restaurant
Best New Restaurant
Outstanding Bakery
Bywater Bakery owner Chaya Conrad with her famous Chantilly cake outside the bakery at 3624 Dauphine St. in New Orleans on Friday, May 2, 2025. (Staff Photo by David Grunfeld, The Times-Picayune)
Bywater Bakery
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
Brennan’s wine and beverage director Braithe Gill in the French Quarter restaurant’s wine cellar. (Staff photo by David Grunfeld, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate)
Braithe Gill, Brennan’s Restaurant
Best Chef, South
This regional award covers Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Puerto Rico.
More chefs in Louisiana and the Gulf Coast are also nominees for the regional Best Chefs: South category. They are:
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Cory Bahr, of Parish in Monroe
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Austin Sumrall of White Pillars in Biloxi, Mississippi
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Hunter Evans of Elvie’s in Jackson, Mississippi
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Jim Smith of the Hummingbird Way in Mobile, Alabama
Outstanding Bar
Wild Child has become a hub for wine and tinned seafood aficionados in downtown Lafayette. (Staff photo by Ian McNulty, NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune)
Wild Child Wines in Lafayette, Louisiana
