It’s that time of year again: James Beard Award semifinalists are out. The 2026 list includes three Nashville entries across chef, restaurant, and hospitality categories.
Outstanding Restaurant
The Catbird Seat | Less than a year after relocating to the Gulch, The Catbird Seat is in the company of restaurants recognized for “consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.”
Outstanding Hospitality
Tailor | In 2020, chef and owner Vivek Surti was a semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast.
Best Chef: Southeast
Philip Krajeck, Rolf & Daughters | Krajeck was a nominee in the category in 2022 and earned a semifinalist nod in 2020 for his work at Folk, with additional recognition earlier in his career in Florida.
Finalists will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, and winners will be celebrated during a Monday, June 15 ceremony in Chicago.
Psst... there are more semifinalists worth taking a short road trip for, including restaurants in Knoxville, Chattanooga, and Memphis — check out the full list.
