Vermont Restaurants Score James Beard 2026 Semifinal Nod

The James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists for its 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards, with Vermont representation across several categories: Café Monette in St. Albans named a Best New Restaurant semifinalist; Leslie McCrorey Wells (Pizzeria Verità, Trattoria Delia, Sotto Enoteca) is a semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur; Kate Wise of Juniper Bar & Restaurant is a semifinalist for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service; and three Vermont chefs were named semifinalists in Best Chef: Northeast—Tiara Adorno (Crooked Ram, Manchester), Paul Trombly (Fancy’s, Burlington), and Max Vogel (Ondis, Montpelier). Semifinalists advance to the list of nominees on March 31, with winners announced June 15 in Chicago.