What to know for the 2026 James Beard Awards in Chicago

Chef Noah Sandoval of Oriole at his restaurant on June 17, 2025. Sandoval was awarded the James Beard Award for Best Chef: Great Lakes Region. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)

People dine during the after party at Union Station after attending the 2025 James Beard Awards on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Carmen Lemons, left, and Lynn Walker, of Lem’s Bar-B-Q, June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Thai Dang, left, and his wife Danielle Dang, of HaiSous Vietnamese Kitchen, walk the red carpet before the 2025 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

People watch chefs and restaurateurs walk the red carpet before the 2025 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Mayor Brandon Johnson and his wife, Stacie Johnson, walk the red carpet before the 2025 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Rick and Deann Bayless walk the red carpet before the 2025 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Julia Momosé, chef at Kumiko in the West Loop, walks the red carpet before the 2025 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 16, 2025, in Chicago.( Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

People dine during the after party at Union Station after attending the 2025 James Beard Awards on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

People dine during the after party at Union Station after attending the 2025 James Beard Awards on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Erling Wu-Bower, left, and Chris Jung, of Maxwells Trading in the West Loop, walk the red carpet before the 2025 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Tristen Epps, of Top Chef season 22, walks the red carpet before the 2025 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Ora king salmon and hamachi with watermelon, yuzu, and chili crisp from Chicago chef Jeffrey Steelman is served while people dine during the after party at Union Station after attending the 2025 James Beard Awards on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

People dine during the after party at Union Station after attending the 2025 James Beard Awards on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Stephanie Izard, chef and owner of Girl & The Goat restaurant in the West Loop, walks the red carpet before the 2025 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Andres Clavero, from left, Zach Engel, Mary Eder-McClure and Scott Stroemer, all of the restaurant Galit in Chicago, walk the red carpet before the 2025 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 16, 2025. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Laura Gardner, of Local Style Chips, walks the red carpet before the 2025 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Za’atar and sumac crusted skuna bay salmon with pomegranate glaze and tahini puree from Toledo, Ohio chef Moussa Salloukh is served while people dine at the after party at Union Station after attending the 2025 James Beard Awards on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Presenter Serigne Mbaye walks the red carpet before the 2025 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

People dine at the after party at Union Station after attending the 2025 James Beard Awards on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Adam Richman, best-known for his eating feats in Travel Channel's “Man v. Food,” walks the red carpet before the 2025 James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)

Sweet potato cala with spiced cane syrup from Louisville, Kentucky chef Lawrence Weeks is served while people dine at the after party at Union Station after attending the 2025 James Beard Awards on June 16, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)