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Taste America 2025-2026 TasteTwenty Chefs

The James Beard Foundation is thrilled to announce the 2025-2026 lineup of exciting TasteTwenty chefs, its annual selection of “ones to watch” in the industry, who will showcase their talents and represent their city’s independent restaurant community throughout the national Taste America series presented by Capital One. Through the Taste America TasteTwenty cohort, the Foundation recognizes some of the industry’s finest talent and changemakers who exemplify the organization’s guiding principle of Good Food for Good®.
Each chef of the TasteTwenty cohort is chosen not only for their exceptional culinary talent but also for their meaningful contributions beyond the kitchen. They're champions of positive change—from supporting sustainable agriculture, investing in their teams, elevating quality ingredients, advocating for a more resilient food system, and more.
Check them out below!
Chef headshot of Ope Amosu

James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Ope Amosu
ChòpnBlọk
Houston, TX

Photo: David “Odiwams” Wright

Headshot of Mary Attea in a chef coat

James Beard Award Nominee®
Mary Attea
Musket Room, Raf’s, and Cafe Zaffri
New York, NY

Photo: Gentl & Hyers

Chef Aaron Brooks standing cross-armed in a kitchen with a wood fire

Aaron Brooks
Sunny’s
Miami, FL

Photo: Michael Pisarri

Chef Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss standing together holding glasses of wine

James Beard Award Semifinalists
Matt Conroy and Isabel Coss
Pascual
Washington, D.C.

Photo: Alex Lau

Chef Kathleen Crook seated on a couch

Kathleen Crook
Market Steer Steakhouse
Santa Fe, NM

Photo: Mark Goode

Headshot of Elmer Dulla in a hat that says Public Market

Elmer Dulla
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
familyfriend
Seattle, WA

Photo: Shaneika Inveen-Lai

Chef Azalina Eusope smiling

James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Azalina Eusope
Azalina’s
San Francisco, CA

Chef Yun Fuentes holding a mask

James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Yun Fuentes
BOLO
Philadelphia, PA

Photo: KC Tinari

Chef Francis Guzman headshot

James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Francis Guzmán
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Vianda
San Juan, PR

Photo: Johan Villafañe

Chef headshot of Jaqueline Hernández

Jaqueline Hernandez
Bar Sótano
Chicago, IL

Photo: Jacob Leaf

Headshot of chef Vivian Ku in casual clothing

Vivian Ku
Pine & Crane and Joy
Los Angeles, CA

Separate shots of Siobhan Manning and Taylor Manning standing in a restaurant

Siobhan Manning and Taylor Manning
Cafe Olli
Portland, OR

Photo: StarChefs

Chef Nicole Cabrera Mills seated at a table

James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Nicole Cabrera Mills
James Beard Award Winner®
Pêche
New Orleans, LA

Photo: Sam Hanna

Chef Ni and Anna Nguyen laughing seated on stools

James Beard Award Semifinalists
Anna and Ni Nguyen
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
sắp sửa
Denver, CO

Photo: David Williams Photography

Chef Stephen Rogers headshot in a suit

Stephen Rogers
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Sachet
and James Beard Award Nominee®
Gemma
Dallas, TX

Chef Ashleigh Shanti headshot

Culinary Corps Chef, Chef Bootcamp Alum, and James Beard Award Winner®
Ashleigh Shanti
Good Hot Fish
Asheville, NC

Headshot of Digby Stridiron in an apron smiling

Chef Bootcamp Alum
Digby Stridiron
Latha
Phoenix, AZ

Chef Dung Vo professional headshot

James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Dung "Junior" Vo
Noko and Kase x Noko
Nashville, TN

Photo: Mick Jacob

Sarah Welch professional shot in front of a brick wall

James Beard Award Nominee®
Sarah Welch
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Marrow Detroit
and Mink Detroit
Detroit, MI

Photo: Taylor Higgins

Chef Douglass Williams headshot

James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Douglass Williams
MIDA
Boston, MA

Photo: Mike Piazza