See the chefs who turned out for the 2026 James Beard Awards
Since Chicago nabbed the James Beard Awards from New York in 2015, the food world’s top annual honors have been a point of local civic pride. The event draws the country’s top chefs and food personalities to town for a few days of eating, drinking and honoring each other, with a gastronomic after-party filled with booze, a caviar table and adventurous miniplates.
And while the city had a few nominees, only one Chicagoan took home a big award: Jacob Potashnick of Feld won Best Chef: Great Lakes after his comeback year. Still, plenty of Chicago talent was on the guest list, joining chefs from some of the country’s most exciting restaurants of the moment, including New York wine bar Lei (winner of the Best New Restaurant), San Francisco hotspot Quince (Michael Tusk won the evening’s outstanding chef award) and Philadelphia’s Kalaya (winner of outstanding restaurant of the year).
Chicagoan Bailey Sullivan of Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio was a finalist on Monday in the emerging chef category (ultimately that award went to Adrian Torres, of the restaurant Maximo in West University Place, Texas, in the Houston area.) On the red carpet, Sullivan said she was “beyond ecstatic” to help represent her hometown at the awards. “I just couldn’t be more proud of being a Chicago native and supporting this town and just bringing a little life to the city.”
From red carpet to ceremony to after-party, here’s a peek inside the evening in photos. — Cassie Walker Burke
Views of the red carpet at the James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
The James Beard Awards celebrate the best in American dining.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Sommelier Belinda Chang walks the red carpet at the James Beard Awards
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Norman Fenton of Cariño and family walk the red carpet at the James Beard Awards.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Chef Rick Bayless talks to WBEZ reporter Courtney Kueppers on the James Beard Awards red carpet.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
El-P (from left) and Killer Mike of Run The Jewels walk the red carpet at the James Beard Awards.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Sarah Grueneberg (from left) and 2026 James Beard nominee Bailey Sullivan of Monteverde Restaurant and Pastificio walk the red carpet at the James Beard Awards.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (center) walks the red carpet at the James Beard Awards.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Jake Potashnick of Feld in Ukrainian Village was the sole Chicagoan to win a 2026 James Beard Award. He was recognized as best chef: Great Lakes category.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
The post-ceremony reception at Union Station.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Oxtail terrine with roasted peanut jus, bagoong caramel, soy-pickled eggplant, long bean relish and sourdough pumpernickel pandesal was prepped by Lordfer Lalicon of Kaya in Orlando, Fla.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
La Brea Bakery of Los Angeles serves french onion grilled cheese.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Brandon Carter of Common Thread in Savannah, Georgia, serves May River blue crab with carolina gold rice, sofrito, tiger salad, habanero and crispy bits.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Le caviar en infusion de corail anise en surprise caviar with fennel cream served as a surprise served by Eleazar Villanueva of Joël Robuchon in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast, in Spring, Texas, serves a baja kanpachi tostada with avocado.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
Ryan Fernandez of Southern Junction in Buffalo, New York, serves brisket biryani.
Manuel Martinez/WBEZ
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