The semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards were announced today, and Las Vegas was well represented. Our little city received a total of 14 nods, in both the Southwest region and the national categories.
In the Best Chef Southwest category, which encompasses Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, and Oklahoma, Las Vegas chefs account for six of the 20 semifinalists. The locals who woke up to that news today are: Oulay Ceesay Fisher (Calabash African Kitchen), Brian Howard (Sparrow + Wolf) (also a semi-finalist in 2024), Yuri Szarzewski (Partage), Sarah Thompson (Casa Playa in Wynn Las Vegas) (Nominee/Finalist 2025), Jamie Tran (The Black Sheep) (Nominee/Finalist 2022), and James Trees (Bar Boheme) (Nominee/Finalist 2020).
Las Vegas–based chefs and restaurateurs emerged as semifinalists in multiple national categories. Elizabeth Blau, creator of both Honey Salt and Buddy V’s, is in contention for Outstanding Restaurateur. Main St. Provisions chef and Hell’s Kitchen contestant, Ellie Parker, is one of the 20 semifinalists nationwide for the Emerging Chef award. The modern Indian restaurant Tamba, located in Town Square, received a nod in the Best New Restaurant category. Milkfish Bake Shop’s Kimberly McIntosh is in contention a second time for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.
Our valley also scored some national nominations in the beverage categories. Ada’s Wine Bar, which moved from Tivoli Village to the Arts District late last year, is in the running for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverage Program. Nocturno, located in Arts Square, will compete for Best New Bar. Longtime local sommelier Bank Atcharawan, who currently operates Chinatown’s Jipata, and Wynn Las Vegas’ Marienna Mercer Boarini were both recognized in the Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service category.
Selection for the Beard Awards is a two-step process. The first step narrows the field to 20 nominees in each category. The lists will be further narrowed to finalists on March 31, and on June 15, the winners will be revealed at an awards ceremony in Chicago.
