Six Alabama chefs and one restaurant have been announced as semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards, one of the food and beverage world’s most prestigious honors.
The James Beard Foundation announced its restaurant and chef semifinalists today. The semifinalists from Alabama are:
- Rob McDaniel of Bayonet in Birmingham for Outstanding Chef
- Kristen Hall of La Fête in Birmingham for Best Chef (South)
- Geri-Martha O’Hara and Ryan O’Hara of Pizza Grace in Birmingham for Best Chef (South)
- Jim Smith of The Hummingbird Way in Mobile for Best Chef (South)
- Eric Bennett of Continental Drift in Birmingham for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
- Bottega in Birmingham for Outstanding Hospitality
Chef Rob McDaniel is a six-time James Beard semifinalist. He opened Bayonet in 2025, and the restaurant is no stranger to garnering accolades. In its first year, it was a Michelin “Bib Gourmand” pick, named one of the 50 best restaurants in America by the New York Times and named among on the 15 best by Eater.com.
Chef Kristin Hall opened La Fete, alongside Chef Victor King, in 2022. The Parisian-inspired wine bar and bistro was also one of Michelin’s five “Bib Gourmand” picks in Alabama. Hall is also known for Bandit Patisserie, a bakery that specializes in “small batch, seasonally driven pastries” in Birmingham…