Ten Florida residents have been selected as semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards, and Wendy Lopez, chef and partner at Reyes Mezcaleria, is one of three nominees from Central Florida. Last year, the Orlando area had six nominations.
Lopez was named a semifinalist in the Best Chef category, which includes Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Puerto Rico.
“It’s an incredible honor to be named alongside these amazing chefs,” Lopez says of his nod to advance to the semifinals. “Years of dedication to this wonderful craft have brought me this far. It’s been 23 years, and this is just the beginning.”
Located north of downtown Orlando, Reyes Mezcaleria is part of Sue and Jason Chin’s Good Salt Restaurant Group portfolio, which also includes The Monroe, The Osprey, seito Sushi Baldwin Park, and Sparrow. Last year, The Chins was recognized as a finalist in the Outstanding Restaurateur category.
Chef Toni Erkhouri of Melbourne’s family-run Lebanese restaurant Cedars Café also joined Mr Lopez as a nominee in the Best Chef: Southern category.
Bone & Bread Bakehouse in Lakeland was also named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Bakery category. The shop is known for its breakfast, sandwiches and pastries, as well as its croissants and pies.
The James Beard Awards represent the pinnacle of culinary excellence in the United States. Since its inception in 1990, the Restaurant and Chef Awards has recognized the nation’s top restaurant and bar professionals as icons.
“We are thrilled to congratulate this year’s semifinalists as we reach another major milestone: the James Beard Foundation’s 40th anniversary,” Claire Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, said in a news release. “For 40 years, the Foundation has recognized culinary excellence while championing the independent chefs and restaurants essential to our communities, economy and culture. We are honored to celebrate the 2026 semifinalists. Their work reflects the incredible dynamism, talent and accomplishments that define our industry today.”
The 10 semifinalists for the 2026 James Beard Award in Florida are:
great bakery
Bone & Bread Bakehouse in Lakeland
Excellent wine and other beverage program
Amara at Paraiso in Miami
best new bar
Miami bar Bucce
Best Chef: South
Michael Beltran from Ariete, Miami
Bryce Bonsak of Rocca, Tampa
Toni Elkhouri at Cedar’s Cafe in Melbourne
Maria Teresa Gallina and Nicolas Martinez of Recoveco in Miami
Barry Honan of Lotus Noodle Bar in St. Augustine
Maria La Mota and Chason Spencer of Chancho King in Jacksonville.
Wendy Lopez at Reyes Mezcareria in Orlando
Restaurant and chef nominations will be announced on March 31, and winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on June 15 at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.
A complete list of semifinalists can be found at jamesbeard.org.
Amy Drew Thompson contributed to this report.
