These Are Michigan’s 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists #DetroitFood

The James Beard Award semifinalists are practically by definition a long list. It’s a chance to shed a little shine on those exceptional hospitality folks across the country who are working hard day in and day out to make memorable meals and drinks. It’s also an opportunity to really see how much potential a city might have to take home an actual medal — the equivalent of an Oscar in the food and beverage industry. Alas, this year’s collection of Michigan semifinalists is markedly shorter compared to some recent years — only six semifinalists as opposed to 10 in 2025 — and consequently, chances to bring home a Beard are slimmer.

The semifinalists include names from a wider swath of the state with spots in New Buffalo, Traverse City, and Ann Arbor. Chefs John Yelinek of Ladder 4 Wine Bar and Javier Bardauil from Barda are among the repeat names in this year’s Best Chef: Great Lakes category, while Echelon Kitchen & Bar in Ann Arbor is under consideration in the national category for Best New Restaurant.

These are Michigan’s 2026 semifinalists.

Best New Restaurant

• Echelon Kitchen & Bar, Ann Arbor

Best New Bar

• Bar Chenin, Detroit

Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)

• Javier Bardauil, BARDA, Detroit
• Andy Elliott and Emily Stewart, Modern Bird, Traverse City
• James Galbraith, PostBoy, New Buffalo
• John Yelinek, Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit

The official James Beard Restaurant and Chef nominees will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, followed by a ceremony reveal of the winners at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on Monday, June 15. In the coming weeks, keep an eye out for additional announcements, including James Beard America’s Classics recipients.

Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards.

from Eater Detroit