James Beard Finalists Named - 2 From Rhode Island

James Beard Finalists Named - 2 From Rhode Island

The James Beard Foundation announced Tuesday its 2026 Restaurant and Chef Award nominees, as well as this year’s Achievement Award honorees (Impact, Humanitarian of the Year, and Lifetime Achievement).

 

Two from Rhode Island were selected as finalists:

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Best New Bar: A wine bar, beer bar, cocktail bar, coffee bar, or any other business whose primary offering is beverage, opened between October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025, that already demonstrates excellence in beverages, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in the preparation of drinks, sourcing, service, hospitality, atmosphere, and operations. Those establishments that have opened after September 30, 2025, can be considered for the 2027 Awards.;

• Bar Chenin, Detroit, MI

• Bar, Please!, Boise, ID

• Clemente Bar, New York, NY

• Later Bye, Oklahoma City, OK

• Loma, Providence, RI

 

Best Chefs: Chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions.

Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)

 

• David DiStasi, Materia Ristorante, Bantam, CT

• Evan Hennessey, Stages, Dover, NH

• Thomas Takashi Cooke, Izakaya Minato, Portland, ME

• Paul Trombly, Fancy's, Burlington, VT

• Derek Wagner, Nicks on Broadway, Providence, RI