The 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Finalists in Portland

A medallion for the 2026 James Beard Awards. — Photo credit: Cullen328 on Wikimedia Commons.

It’s that time again—time to see the list of finalists of the 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards. From this group, the winners will be picked and given their awards later in June.

The 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Finalists Iin Portland)

Here are the finalists from Portland:

Outstanding Bar: Scotch Lodge.
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA): Thomas Pisha-Duffly, Gado Gado; and Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro.

The Semi-Finalists

As a reminder, here were the semi-finalists throughout Oregon, plus one more from our cousin to the north, Vancouver:

Outstanding Restaurant: Le Pigeon
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: Coquine
Outstanding Bar: Scotch Lodge
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Joel Gunderson from Heavenly Creatures
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA): Taylor Manning and Siobhan Speirits, Cafe Olli; Kristen Murray, Måurice; Thomas Pisha-Duffly, Gado Gado; Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro; Josh Dorcak, MÄS, Ashland; Jack Strong, JORY Restaurant at The Allison Inn & Spa, Newberg
Best New Bar: The Elbow Room, Vancouver

Other 2026 James Beard Awards Announced

Today we also learned who was honored with an Impact Award, Humanitarian of the Year award, and Lifetime Achievement award . They are:

Impact Award Honorees

Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). This is “one of the largest and most effective organizations in California advocating for immigrant rights.”
Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation. It “has helped provide support for almost 1,000 units of affordable and supportive housing in 12 states for thousands of people, including youth and veterans.” Our our Makin’ Groceries found inspiration in JBJ Soul Kitchen, “a nonprofit, pay-it-forward restaurant.”
Senator Ben Ray Luján. The junior senator from New Mexico, his “work is driven by the belief that in a country with the abundance of the United States, hunger is a policy decision.”
ReFED. This is “a nonprofit field catalyst building a movement to solve food waste and create a sustainable, resilient, and inclusive food system.”
Southern Smoke Foundation. It “provides access to no-cost mental health services through its program, Behind You, and emergency relief funding to food and beverage (F and B) workers nationwide.”

Humanitarian of the Year

No Us Without You/Othón Nolasko and Damián Diaz. Founded in LA, they “provide food relief to the most vulnerable hospitality workers affected by the pandemic, including undocumented back-of-house workers ineligible for unemployment benefits.”

Lifetime Achievement

Nancy Silverton. This woman is an icon. From the JBFA press release:

“In her more than four decades as a chef, baker, restaurateur, and author, Nancy Silverton has had a profound influence on how we eat, cook, and think about food in the United States. In 1989, Silverton founded La Brea Bakery in Los Angeles, helping spark the modern artisanal bread movement and winning the first-ever James Beard Award for Pastry Chef of the Year in 1991. She co-founded iconic restaurants, including Campanile, and later established the globally recognized Osteria Mozza.

“In 2014, she won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef, honoring her rigorous technique, warm hospitality, creativity, and leadership. Silverton has mentored countless chefs, bakers, and restaurateurs who have since defined their own culinary identities and meaningfully contributed to the independent restaurant ecosystem. Through her widely acclaimed cookbooks, media appearances, and educational initiatives, Silverton has shaped public understanding of food, craft, and tradition, reinforcing the cultural and emotional significance of food in American life.”

And from our article last year on Pizza Thief’s second location: “Darby Aldaco

“Darby is the head chef at Pizza Thief. “[Co-founder] Darby [Adalco] was heavily in the food business,” explained Tony. ‘He worked with Nancy Silverton in LA, and basically did all her pizza at Mozza and at Triple Beam Pizza. His last job was doing the dough and bread at Bub & Grandma’s in LA, which is one of the best bakeries and sandwich makers there.’”

Additionally, the Media Award Nominees Announcement will be on Wednesday, May 6.

All the best to the finalists!