{"id":213481,"date":"2026-03-31T19:55:12","date_gmt":"2026-03-31T19:55:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/213481\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T19:55:12","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T19:55:12","slug":"central-florida-shut-out-in-2026-james-beard-foundation-awards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/213481\/","title":{"rendered":"Central Florida shut out in 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards"},"content":{"rendered":"

The nominees for the 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards<\/a> have been announced, and Central Florida\u2019s three semifinalists will not move forward.<\/p>\n

Back in January, chefs Toni Elkhouri from Cedar\u2019s Cafe<\/a> in Melbourne and Wendy Lopez, chef\/partner of Reyes Mezcaleria<\/a> and Sparrow Wine Bar & Lounge<\/a> (the latter this year\u2019s Orlando Sentinel Foodie Award Critic\u2019s Pick for Best New Restaurant<\/a>), won early nods in the Best Chef: South category, as did Lakeland\u2019s Born & Bread Bakehouse<\/a> for Outstanding Bakery.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know I was a long shot because I\u2019m in the middle of nowhere and I\u2019m not going to get as many judges coming out to me,\u201d Elkhouri told the Orlando Sentinel in the wake of the announcements, noting her appreciation for Cedar\u2019s inclusion in the mix.<\/p>\n

\"ChefChef Toni Elkhouri from Cedar’s Cafe in Melbourne, a family-run spot offering Lebanese fare. (Courtesy Cedar’s Cafe)<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been really nice to have residents and former residents not anticipating to see Brevard County on the [semifinalist] list \u2026 it\u2019s great, I\u2019m giving people who are from the Space Coast a sense of pride.\u201d<\/p>\n

Elkhouri is the region\u2019s first James Beard semifinalist, the first Lebanese female chef nominated in a Best Chef category, and is known for cooking Lebanese food. For her, it\u2019s a thrill.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, it\u2019s just about doing well enough to hopefully get nominated again next year. That\u2019s my goal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bird is the word: Small, sexy Sparrow is a high-flying hit, named Best New Restaurant in Foodie Awards<\/a><\/p>\n

Closer to home, Lopez, who\u2019s clocked a banner year that included not only Sparrow\u2019s opening and subsequent awards, is happy to just be in the mix.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t do it for awards,\u201d she said. \u201cYou do it for the hospitality, for the love of food. This doesn\u2019t change anything for me. I\u2019m extremely happy with what I\u2019ve done, with what my team has accomplished. We\u2019ll just continue to strive. This won\u2019t deter us from doing more great things.\u201d<\/p>\n

Chefs Maria La Mota and Chason Spencer of Jacksonville\u2019s Chancho King<\/a> and chef Bryce Bonsack of Tampa\u2019s Rocca<\/a> will head to Chicago in June, repping Florida in the Best Chef: South category.<\/p>\n

Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram @amydroo<\/a>\u00a0or on the OSFoodie Instagram account\u00a0@orlando.foodie<\/a>. Email:\u00a0amthompson@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>, For more foodie fun, join the\u00a0Let\u2019s Eat, Orlando Facebook group<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Our 2026 Foodie Award winners list revealed \u2014 see who won<\/a><\/p>\n

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