Chefs and restaurants across the Carolinas have been honored as 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists, with strong showings in the Asheville area and Charleston, along with nods for chefs in Charlotte, Cary and Raleigh.
Restaurants and chefs who are finalists will be announced Tuesday, March 31. Those who take the top prize will be honored at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 15 at Lyric Opera in Chicago.
In Charlotte, chef Robin Anthony of Omakase Experience by Prime Fish is among the nine semifinalists for Best Chef: Southeast, which had 20 chefs honored in all. The high-end omakase restaurant offers a 15-course tasting menu featuring seasonal sushi, appetizers and more with fish flown in fresh from Tokyo daily.
Yet again, the James Beard Awards have a Charlotte chef in its sights
Other Carolina semifinalists for Best Chef: Southeast in NC include:
- Matt Dawes of The Bull and Beggar in Asheville, a European-inspired small plates restaurant
- Steven Devereaux Greene of Herons at The Umstead in Cary. The fine dining restaurant is Michelin recommended restaurant featuring seasonal ingredients, and a five-course tasting menu is available.
- Cheetie Kumar of Ajja in Raleigh, a Mediterranean restaurant that was nominated for the James Beard Award Best New Restaurant in 2023.
- Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm in Leicester, a working farm that offers dining only by appointment through chef’s tables and other culinary experiences.
Carolina semifinalists for Best Chef: Southeast in SC include:
- Bintou N’Daw of Bintü Atelier in Charleston, which serves West African cuisine
- Colin Marcelli of Renzo in Charleston, a pizza and natural wines restaurant
- Heidi Vukov of Hook & Barrel in Myrtle Beach, a seafood-focused spot with small plates
Charlotte’s James Beard Award semifinalists get passed over for 2025 finals
Other James Beard semifinalists
Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani of Asheville-based Chai Pani Restaurant Group were named semifinalists for Outstanding Restaurateur. The Chai Pani Restaurant Group operates Chai Pani and Botiwalla, which also has a location in Charlotte at Optimist Hall…