By Chanda Temple
Five Birmingham restaurants/chefs have been named as semifinalists for a James Beard Award, the Oscars for the food industry.
From here, restaurant and chef nominees will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, and the winners will be recognized on Monday, June 15 in Chicago during the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony.
The Birmingham semifinalists are:
- Outstanding Chef: Rob McDaniel, Bayonet
- Best Chef (South): Kristen Hall, La Fête
- Best Chef (South): Geri-Martha O’Hara and Ryan O’Hara, Pizza Grace
- Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: Eric Bennett, Continental Drift
- Outstanding Hospitality: Bottega
According to the Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau, Birmingham has more than 60 winners and nominees connected to the James Beard Awards.
Some of the past Birmingham winners have included:
- Best Chef: South (2022): Automatic Seafood and Oysters Chef Adam Evans
- Outstanding Restaurant (2018): Highlands Bar & Grill
- Outstanding Pastry Chef (2018): Dolester Miles of Highlands Bar & Grill
- Best Chef: South (2012): Hot and Hot Fish Club, Chef Chris Hastings
- Best Chef: Southeast (2001): Highlands Bar & Grill Chef Frank Stitt
News about the James Beard semifinalists for 2026 comes two months after 11 Birmingham restaurants were named in the Michelin Guide American South. James Beard semifinalists Bayonet, La Fete, Pizza Grace and Bottega were mentioned in the November 2025 list.
See the list of all 11 Birmingham restaurants.
Through the years, Birmingham restaurants have also gained attention from national publications.
- In December 2025, Afar magazine named Birmingham as one of the best places to travel in 2026. In its article, Afar focused on Birmingham’s food, saying that “James Beard award nominations grow like the kudzu vine” here. See The Full Story From Afar Magazine
- In January 2026, Eater named Birmingham as one of 15 “Best Dining Destinations in 2026,” citing that the Magic City is “an amalgamation of Deep South cooking, meat-and-three institutions, Greek diners, and an old guard of highly decorated culinary talent …” Eater a digital media company dedicated to all things food and dining.
Chanda Temple is an award-winning writer living in Birmingham, Ala. She blogs at http://www.chandatemplewrites.com. If you have a food story idea, email her at chandatemple@gmail.com. Follow her on Instagram at @chandatemple.
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