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Taste America 2026-2027 TasteTwenty Chefs

The James Beard Foundation is thrilled to announce the 2026-2027 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. 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!
Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu look at a paper at a kitchen counter

James Beard Award Winners
Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
JŪN
and Third Place 
Houston, TX

Photo: JIA Media

Smiling headshot of Yara Herrera in chef uniform

Yara Herrera
Hellbender
New York, NY

Photo: Star Chefs

James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Doug Hewitt
Freya and Chartreuse
Detroit, MI

Photo: Mark Kurlyandchik

Christian Irabién headshot

Chef Bootcamp Alum
Christian Irabién

Amparo Fondita
Washington, D.C.

Phila Lorn seated at a table

James Beard Award Winner®
Phila Lorn
Mawn 
Philadelphia, PA

Photo: Will Blunt

Mathew Meeker in a chef apron

Mathew Meeker
Fancypants
Nashville, TN

Photo: Victoria Quirk

Erin Miller in a casual chef apron at a kitchen counter

Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Alum and James Beard Award Nominee®
Erin Miller
Urban Hearth
Boston, MA

Zubair Mohajir holds a metal bowl in which Rishi Kumar working in a kitchen is placing a spoonful of red sauce

James Beard Award Semifinalists
Zubair Mohajir and Rishi Kumar
Mirra and Mariela
Chicago, IL 

Photo: Garrett Sweets

Chef Bootcamp Alum and James Beard Award Nominee®
Misti Norris
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Far Out
Dallas, TX

Sayat (left) and Laura Ozyilmaz smiling in chef uniforms

James Beard Award Semifinalists
Laura and Sayat Ozyilmaz
Maria Isabel Restaurant
San Francisco, CA

Marc Quinones smiling in an orange chef coat

Legacy Network Alum and James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Marc Quiñones
La Fonda on the Plaza
Santa Fe, NM

SZaif Rahman in a blue, name-branded apron

Saif Rahman
James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Peregrine
Raleigh, NC

James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Carol Reyes
Bóveda Restaurante
San Juan, PR

Jhonny Reyes smiling

Jhonny Reyes
Lenox
Seattle, WA

Photo: Kyler Martin/Dylan Cate

Megan Sanchez looking over a food truck window holding a glass of wine

Megan Sanchez
Farag’s
Portland, OR

Photo: Sahra Jajarmi

Parnass Savang and Rod Lassiter

James Beard Award Nominees
Parnass Savang and Rod Lassiter
Talat Market
Atlanta, GA

Left: Raheem Sealey standing in a kitchen; right: Monika Dominguez standing in a kitchen

Raheem Sealey and Monika Dominguez
Shiso Miami
Miami, FL

LT Smith standing in a kitchen, towel over his shoulder

James Beard Award Semifinalist®
LT Smith
Chilte
Phoenix, AZ

Anna Sonenshein and Niki Vahle seated at a restaurant table. Anna drapes her arm over Niki's shoulder.

Anna Sonenshein and Niki Vahle
Little Fish Melrose Hill
Los Angeles, CA

Photo: Kort Havens

Sophina Uong smiling in front of a restaurant kitchen

Chef Bootcamp Alum, Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership Alum, and James Beard Award Semifinalist®
Sophina Uong
Mister Mao
New Orleans, LA

Photo: Katherine Kimball