List of 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists in the Philadelphia region

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- The 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists were announced on Wednesday, and once again, Philadelphia-area restaurants and chefs are well-represented.

In the category of Outstanding Restaurateur, Greg Vernick of Vernick Fish was nominated again.

For Outstanding Restaurant, Kalaya in Fishtown was nominated.

In the Emerging Chef category, Frankie Ramierz of Ama received a nod, and for Outstanding Bar, the Lovers Bar at Friday, Saturday Sunday was nominated.

Restaurant and chef nominees will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, and winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 15, 2026.

See the full list of semifinalists below:

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Greg Vernick, Vernick Philadelphia (Vernick Food & Drink, Vernick Fish, and Vernick Coffee Bar), Philadelphia, PA

Outstanding Restaurant

• Kalaya, Philadelphia, PA

Emerging Chef

• Frankie Ramirez, Amá, Philadelphia, PA

Best New Restaurant

• Emmett, Philadelphia, PA

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

• Justine MacNeil, Fiore, Philadelphia, PA

Outstanding Bar

• Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday, Philadelphia, PA

Best New Bar

• Almanac, Philadelphia, PA

Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service

• Dan Suro-Cipolloni and David Suro-Piñera, Tequilas and La Jefa, Philadelphia, PA

Best Chef

• Russ Cowan, Radin's Delicatessen, Cherry Hill, NJ

• Ian Graye, Pietramala, Philadelphia, PA

• Jesse Ito, Royal Sushi & Izakaya, Philadelphia, PA

• Dwain Kalup, La Fia, Wilmington, DE

• Randy Rucker, Little Water, Philadelphia, PA

• Amanda Shulman, Her Place Supper Club, Philadelphia, PA

• Omar Tate and Cybille St. Aude-Tate, Honeysuckle, Philadelphia, PA