The finalists for the prestigious James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards for 2026 have been announced, and some of the best in the D.C.-area food business have made the list.
Suresh Sundas from Tapori in D.C. has been named a finalist for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic, which includes D.C., Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Virginia. Located on H Street NE, Tapori describes itself as serving up “Indian-ish street foods and cocktails.”
D.C.’s Maison Bar à Vins is a finalist for Best New Restaurant. It’s a French-inspired wine bar and restaurant in Adams Morgan that opened in September of last year.
Brent Kroll, proprietor and sommelier at Maxwell Park in D.C., is a finalist for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service. The wine bar and restaurant on 9th Street NW in the Shaw neighborhood offers more than 50 wines by the glass.
Field & Main Restaurant in Marshall, Virginia — a village in Fauquier County — is among the finalists for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. The farm-to-table restaurant offers wines by the glass and on tap.
Susan Bae with Moon Rabbit in D.C. is a finalist for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. The Vietnamese restaurant is situated in Penn Quarter.
The winners will be announced June 15 at a ceremony in Chicago.
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