Chattanooga’s food scene earned major honors from the James Beard Foundation this week, with two beloved local institutions named semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards.
Chef and owner Khaled Albanna of Calliope was named a semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast, while Niedlov’s Café & Bakery was recognized as a semifinalist for Outstanding Bakery.
The announcements mark a significant moment for Chattanooga’s independent restaurant community.
Chef Khaled Albanna, who was born in Jordan, opened Calliope in 2021 with co-owner Raven Humphrey. In 2022, the restaurant moved to its permanent home on Chattanooga’s historic MLK Boulevard. Calliope’s cuisine draws inspiration from the Levant—a region spanning the Middle East and Mediterranean—while incorporating seasonal Southern ingredients and a thoughtful, regionally informed cocktail program…