2026 James Beard Restaurant, Chef Award finalists announced. See list
The James Beard Foundation has announced the finalists for its 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards, with several Asheville-area chefs and restaurants making the cut. Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani of Chai Pani Restaurant Group, and Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm, are among the finalists, with the awards ceremony set to take place on June 15 in Chicago.
The James Beard Foundation announced its 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards finalists. Asheville-area chefs and restaurants are among the nominees, including Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani of Chai Pani Restaurant Group, who are finalists for Outstanding Restaurateur. Taylor Montgomery, co-founder and executive chef at Montgomery Sky Farm, is a finalist for Best Chef: Southeast. The Chai Pani Restaurant Group has expanded across multiple states, including a second Chai Pani restaurant in Washington, D.C. Montgomery Sky Farm is a regenerative farm and livestock rescue that hosts farm-to-table harvest dinners. The 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony will be held on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
This content was automatically generated and/or translated by AI. It may contain inaccuracies. Please refer to the original sources for verification.