Overview
- The Foundation released the 2026 long list spanning chefs, restaurants, bars, pastry, beverage and hospitality across national and regional fields.
- Chicago logged 23 semifinalists with entries in most categories, matching the Bay Area’s 23 across 13 categories.
- Other local counts underscore national reach: Colorado 17, Philadelphia 13, Houston 12, Minnesota 10, with nominees from Wisconsin, San Diego, Cincinnati and more.
- Notable Bay Area names include Michael Tusk plus owner teams such as Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, alongside Chicago figures Diana Dávila and Zachary Engel.
- The race moves next to finalist announcements on March 31, ahead of winners at Chicago’s Lyric Opera on June 15.