These Are Minnesota’s 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists
The Twin Cities hospitality industry is unmatched. Not only are restaurants and professionals in this region setting new standards for food culture, but they’re also acting in the best interests of their communities, moving to protect their workers in the face of a federal government siege on the region.
Outstanding Restaurateur
- Mike Brown, Bob Gerken, and James Winberg, Travail Collective (Travail Kitchen & Amusements, ie by Travail, and Dream Creamery), Robbinsdale.
Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
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.




