10 Minnesota chefs and restaurants named semifinalists for 2026 James Beard Awards

Amid an exceptionally fraught moment for the state’s restaurant industry, the James Beard Foundation announced its awards semifinalists, naming 10 Minnesota chefs and restaurants to its semifinalist list of culinary honors.

The news arrives as Minnesota restaurants — an industry powered and supported by immigrant workers, chefs, purveyors and diners — are navigating intense challenges and fears related to federal immigration enforcement, compounded by extreme cold and a statewide strike planned for Jan. 23.

For some restaurateurs, the Beard Awards news offered a rare ray of light.

“The recognition is helpful and draws some attention to independent businesses and the many wonderful people that it takes to run a restaurant, including vulnerable people who make those restaurants,” said Alex Roberts, who got a nod as Outstanding Chef for Restaurant Alma.

“Fear and dining are a bad combination. I’m hoping this can put a little sunshine on things.”

For independent operators, the attention matters. “For small local restaurants like us, it’s a very tough time and the national recognition [means a lot],” said Shigeyuki Furukawa, chef/owner of Kado No Mise, who was named a semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest.

Widely viewed as the industry’s highest honors, the James Beard Awards recognize and celebrate excellence in the hospitality industry and food media. The restaurant awards fall into 10 national and 12 regional categories. This year, the Twin Cities’ culinary community was recognized in both regional and national categories.

Outstanding Chef: Ann Ahmed, Khâluna, Minneapolis: This is the fourth year in a row Ahmed has been recognized for her Lao restaurant Khâluna, and her second time in this national category. She was a Best Chef: Midwest semifinalist in 2023, and advanced to be a nominee in 2024. The restaurant, which opened in 2021, garnered three stars from the Minnesota Star Tribune for “food that delivers on both exclusivity and pleasure — the kind that justifies multiple flights across continents and time zones.”

Outstanding Chef: Alex Roberts, Alma, Minneapolis: For 26 years Restaurant Alma in Minneapolis has built its stellar reputation on seasonal ingredients and a commitment to excellence — a feat that won its chef/owner the James Beard Award for Best Chef Midwest in 2010 and semifinalist nods in several national categories over the years. Roberts and his business partner/spouse Margo Roberts have overseen Alma’s growth into casual concepts and a boutique hotel.

Outstanding Restaurant, Bar La Grassa, Minneapolis: When Nancy St. Pierre and Isaac Becker first opened Bar La Grassa, Minneapolis’ North Loop neighborhood was a mix of elderly warehouses and little action. In the ensuing years, this restaurant has been at the forefront of the area’s massive growth as a destination in the city. Through it all, Bar La Grassa continues to deliver fan-favorite pastas and other Italian-inspired fare. The restaurant was a semifinalist in the national category of Best New Restaurant in 2010, and Becker was recognized for his work as the James Beard Award’s Best Chef Midwest in 2011.

Emerging Chef, Kyle Lussier, the Pines, Grand Rapids: Fresh off the restaurant being named as one of the Star Tribune’s best new restaurants of 2025, Kyle Lussier nabs his first recognition by the James Beard Foundation for his emerging talent. With his business partner/spouse Amanda Lussier, Kyle moved back to his hometown of Grand Rapids, where, in summer 2025, the couple opened their first restaurant. The Pines quickly became known for its locally sourced, seasonally informed and wholly comforting cuisine in a tri-level restaurant that overlooks the city’s downtown.

Outstanding Hospitality, Joan’s in the Park, St. Paul: Opened in 2011, Joan’s in the Park is the lifelong dream of Joan Schmitt and chef Susan Dunlop. The couple met while working at Morton’s Steakhouse and founded their own place in an unlikely location: a former pizza joint in St. Paul’s quiet Highland Park neighborhood. The result is a beloved neighborhood restaurant known for its serene comforts: a tasting menu that unfolds with studied pacing and warm service that makes every occasion feel extra special. This is their first recognition by the James Beard Awards.

Diane Moua, Diane’s Place, Minneapolis: After years of creating impressive pastry programs for other top chefs in Minneapolis, Moua opened her own restaurant in Minneapolis. Blending the dishes she grew up eating with her fine-dining skills and love of hospitality, Diane’s Place immediately drew national praise for everything from her croissants at breakfast to Hmong pulled pork at dinnertime. Moua has been recognized by the New York Times, Food & Wine Magazine and was one of the Star Tribune’s Restaurants of the Year in 2024.

Gustavo Romero and Kate Romero, Oro by Nixta, Minneapolis: What began during the pandemic as a way for the couple to share take-home meals has become a gold standard for the wonders of masa in northeast Minneapolis. The Romeros have built Oro by Nixta one kernel of Mexican-grown, heirloom corn at a time. The restaurant was a finalist for the Beards’ national honor of Best New Restaurant in 2024, and was the Star Tribune’s Restaurant of the Year in 2023.

Yia Vang, Vinai, Minneapolis: From his early days cooking out of a trailer to becoming a celebrated chef with a slew of TV spots, Vang has always preserved and shared Hmong history through food and atmosphere. At his northeast Minneapolis restaurant Vinai, every dish and design detail tell a story that follows the journey of his family, from a refugee camp in Thailand to his childhood in Wisconsin to the fine-dining kitchens where he trained. Vang was previously recognized in this category in 2022 and 2023, and Vinai scored a semifinalist nod for Best New Restaurant last year. Vinai was also one of the Star Tribune’s Restaurants of the Year in 2024.

Established in 1990, the James Beard Awards are often described as the Oscars of the food world.

The semifinalist list will be trimmed on March 31, when the James Beard Foundation releases its list of nominees. The 2026 James Beard Awards ceremony will be held on June 15 in Chicago.

Past local winners include former La Belle Vie chef Tim McKee’s win in 2009; Alex Roberts (Restaurant Alma) in 2010; Isaac Becker (112 Eatery) in 2011; Paul Berglund (formerly of the Bachelor Farmer) in 2016; Gavin Kaysen (Spoon and Stable) in 2018; Ann Kim (Young Joni) in 2019; and Christina Nguyen (Hai Hai) in 2024.

In 2022, Owamni brought home the national honor of Best New Restaurant.