Houston’s culinary scene has once again earned national recognition, with two of the region’s six 2026 James Beard Award finalists bringing home wins.
Adrian Torres of Maximo won the national Emerging Chef award. Born in San Luis Potosí, Mexico, and raised in Houston, Torres has built Maximo into a standout for modern Mexican cuisine, earning a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide.
Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of Jūn won Best Chef: Texas. Opened in 2023 in the Heights, Jūn reflects both chefs’ backgrounds — Garcia’s Salvadoran and Mexican roots and Lu’s Chinese-American upbringing — through inventive, globally inspired dishes.
The wins continue Houston’s strong run in the Best Chef: Texas category. Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast in Spring won in 2025, and Benchawan Jabthong Painter of Street to Kitchen won in 2023 — making this Houston’s third win in the category in the last four years.
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Chris Shepherd’s Houston-based Southern Smoke Foundation, a nonprofit that provides emergency assistance and mental health services to hospitality workers, also received a James Beard Impact Award, which recognizes organizations and individuals working to create a more equitable, sustainable and supportive food and beverage industry.
Other Houston finalists included Agnes and Sherman for Best New Restaurant; June Rodil of March for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service; Hugo Ortega and Tracy Vaught of H-Town Restaurant Group for Outstanding Restaurateur; and Ope Amosu of ChòpnBlọk for Best Chef: Texas.
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These recognitions highlight the diversity and creativity of Houston’s dining scene and reinforce the region’s growing reputation as a premier culinary destination.