The prestigious James Beard Awards ceremonies, which honor culinary leaders and chefs across the nation, are officially set to take place in Chicago through the year 2028. This extension was confirmed on Tuesday by the city's official tourism marketing organization.

A Long-Standing Partnership and History

Chicago first served as the host city for the James Beard Awards ceremonies starting in 2015. The awards themselves have been recognizing excellence within America's food culture since 1990.

Announcement Details and 2026 Nominees

The agreement extension was revealed during an event held Tuesday morning at The Wellsley, an event space located at 504 N. Wells St. This ceremony also served as the platform for announcing the nominees for the 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards, alongside the nominees for the Achievement Awards.

Endorsements from State and City Leaders

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker expressed enthusiasm for the continuation of the event in the state. He highlighted Illinois's dynamic and diverse food scene, noting how local chefs cultivate community and draw international attention.

Governor Pritzker stated in a news release, "The James Beard Awards showcase this rich talent on a global stage, and we are grateful that they will continue to call Chicago home and remain in our great state through 2028."

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also voiced the city's excitement about hosting the ceremonies for two additional years beyond the current term. He emphasized the role of the local hospitality sector in defining the city's character.

Mayor Johnson added, "Our restaurants, chefs, and hospitality workers represent the creativity, diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit that define our city." He further noted that such events support local businesses and bring global focus to Chicago's neighborhoods. The Mayor proudly pointed out that Chicago celebrated the most James Beard semifinalists last year.

Chicago Nominees Recognized

Several Chicago chefs received nominations announced during Tuesday's proceedings. These include:

  • Emerging Chef: Bailey Sullivan from Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio (1020 W. Madison St.).
  • Best Chefs, Great Lakes: Norman Fenton of Cariño (4662 N. Broadway) and Jacob Potashnick of Feld (2018 W. Chicago Ave.).

Upcoming 2026 James Beard Awards Schedule

The 2026 James Beard Awards programming is scheduled to commence with the Media Awards. These will take place on June 13 at the Art Institute of Chicago.

The schedule continues on June 14 with the Impact Awards hosted at The Dalcy, located at 302 N. Green St. The main Restaurant and Chef awards ceremony will conclude the events on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.