James Beard Foundation Announces 2026 Awards Semfinalists
Image Source: Lille Allen / Eater
The James Beard Foundation has officially announced its 2026 awards semifinalists. Established in 1990, the Beards are considered among the most esteemed awards for culinary professionals. The full list includes hundreds of potential winners in categories like Restaurant and Chef Awards, Media Awards, Achievement Awards, and the foundation's newest section, Impact Awards, which were unveiled for the first time last year. Restaurant and Chef nominees will be revealed on March 31st, and winners will be declared at the ritzy annual ceremony in Chicago on June 15th.
Philadelphia Makes Its Debut In The Michelin Guide
Image Source: Shutterstock
Philadelphia made its debut in the Michelin Guide this month and hosted the 2025 Northeast Cities Guide Award Ceremony at the Kimmel Center for Performing Arts. Aside from Philly, restaurants from NYC, Chicago, Boston, and Washington D.C. were also honored at the ceremony and hundreds of notable culinary figures from the region were in attendance. Philadelphia received three stars in total, as well as a flurry of bib gourmands and Michelin selected recommendations, including some cheesesteak spots of course. Stars were awarded to Friday Saturday Sunday, Her Place Supper Club, and Provenance. A green star was awarded to a fully vegan spot, Pietramala. Check out more of the Northeast Cities awards below!
Three New Michelin Stars Awarded In Texas
Image Source: Nicōsi / Michelin Guide
Michelin unveiled awards and recognition to Texas restaurants for the second time ever last week in Houston. Three new stars were awarded to Mamani in Dallas, and to both Nicōsi and Isidore in San Antonio. While the guide covered most major cities in Texas, the less populated town of Spring, north of Houston, was put on the map this year after a star was awarded to acclaimed barbecue joint, Corkscrew BBQ. More than 15 restaurants across Texas were granted stars. The full list is available below. More regions in the U.S. will be awarded over the next couple of months, so stay on the lookout!
The World’s 50 Best Restaurants Releases 2025 List for North America
Image Source: Atomix / The World's 50 Best
This past June, the World's 50 Best Restaurants global list was released, and last month in Las Vegas the organization held its inaugural ceremony for restaurants exclusively in North America, covering the U.S., Canada, and the Caribbean. The North America winners for 2025 include Atomix (NYC) in the number one spot, followed by Mon Lapin (Montreal), Restaurant Pearl Morissette (Lincoln), Smyth (Chicago), and Tanière 3 (Quebec City). Atomix also appeared on the global list (in spot #12), while the other top five North American restaurants are new to the list.
Restaurant Profitability Remains Low Post-Pandemic
Image Source: Shutterstock / RB
Restaurants operate on notoriously thin margins, and profitability has slimmed even further since the pandemic, according to a new report from the National Restaurant Association (NRA). In 2019, the median income among full-service restaurants was just 4% of total revenue. Despite increases in menu prices to adjust for inflation, the NRA report reveals that current median income among restaurants has dropped to 2.8% of total revenue. The reason? Higher menu prices have not offset historically high food costs. Plus, higher menu prices have turned off some diners who refuse to pay more for their meals.
