There’s a renewed sense of optimism in the rainy Northwest once again. That’s because the James Beard Foundation announced its longlist for 2026 on Tuesday, January 21. The Evergreen State has a slew of nominations, hoping to fare better in 2026 after a rough go at the 2025 James Beard Awards. Amongst them are previous nominees and newcomers alike.
The Emerging Chef nod to Ahmed Suliman is a treat, given how special his Cafe Suliman has become inside Capital Hill’s Melrose Market. The space is a lowkey, Wi-Fi-friendly cafe that doubles as an impressive destination for North African cuisine such as lamb and hummus. That casual yet supreme trend continues with the Wayland Mill and Little Beast in Ballard, the state’s two Best New Restaurant entrants for the year. Westlake Square’s top-notch wine bar Le Caviste earned a nom in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category. Christina Wood of Jackson Street’s “cult of the croissant” Temple Pastries, which opened in 2020, got a nomination in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Bakery category this year, too.
A few familiar faces picked up nominations again this year. Anu Apte, the cocktail wiz at Rob Roy, landed in the Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service category, and Filipino fine dining outfit Archipelago is up again vis-a-vis the Outstanding Chef nom for Aaron Verzosa; last year the restaurant was nominated for Outstanding Hospitality. Outside of the Emerald City, only pizza and natty wine hang Starla’s in Bellingham got any attention. That comes by way of Jordan Koplowitz’s nomination in the Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA) category.
This is the full list of nominees from Washington in the 2026 James Beard Awards.
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Bakery
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Awards.