ST. LOUIS — A St. Louis area chef claimed one of the food world’s highest honors Monday night, bringing home a James Beard Award. This was St. Louis’ lone victor at the 2026 awards.
Chef Loryn Nalic, chef and co-owner of Balkan Treat Box in Webster Groves, won the award for “Best Chef: Midwest” at the ceremony held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
That award recognizes the best chefs from Missouri, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin…