Nominees for the 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards have been announced, with three Central Florida semifinalists not advancing.
Back in January, chef Toni Elkhouri of Melbourne’s Cedar’s Cafe and Wendy Lopez, chef and partner of Reyes Mezcaleria and Sparrow Wine Bar & Lounge (the latter of which was the Critics’ Choice Best New Restaurant at this year’s Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards) were early nominees in the Best Chef: Southern category, and Lakeland’s Bone & Bread Bakehouse also won in the Outstanding Bakery category.
“I’m in the middle of nowhere and I don’t think a lot of judges are going to talk to me, so I know I was a big miss,” Ercoli told the Orlando Sentinel following the announcement, expressing his gratitude for Cedar’s addition to the roster.
“It was really cool because we didn’t expect residents and former residents to put Brevard County on the (semifinalist) list…It’s great. It makes people from the Space Coast feel proud.”
Elkhouli, the region’s first James Beard semifinalist and the first Lebanese female chef nominated in the Best Chef category, is known for her Lebanese cuisine. For her, it’s a thrill.
“For me, it’s just about doing well enough to hopefully get nominated again next year. That’s my goal.”
THE BIRD IS THE WORD: The tiny, sexy Sparrow was a big hit, named Best New Restaurant at the Foodie Awards.
Closer to home, Lopez is happy to be a part of the Sparrows’ stellar year, which included an opening game and subsequent awards.
“I’m not doing it for the awards,” she said. “We do it for hospitality, we do it for the love of food. This doesn’t change anything for me. I’m very happy with what I’ve done and what the team has accomplished. We just keep trying. This won’t stop us from doing even more great things.”
Chefs Maria La Mota and Chason Spencer of Jacksonville’s Chancho King and chef Bryce Bonsak of Tampa’s Rocca will head to Chicago in June to represent Florida in the Best Chef: South division.
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2026 Foodie Award Winners List Revealed — See Who Wins
