Houston chefs earn top honors at James Beard Awards

Houston cemented itself as a national food power Monday night, winning a major national prize and a top state medal at the famed James Beard Awards in Chicago.

West University Place's Maximo chef Adrian Torres won the Emerging Chef award, a national accolade given each year to one up-and-coming culinary talent. It was one of the first awards of the night, and it emphasized Houston’s growing clout on the national dining scene.

Later in the evening, Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of JŪN picked up the award for Best Chef: Texas. The award was hosted by Houston resident and former James Beard Award winner Sarah Grueneberg.

The James Beard Awards, often referred to as “the Oscars of the food world,” honor excellence in the food and beverage industry, including chefs, restaurateurs, and media professionals. The awards are considered some of the most prestigious in the culinary world, akin to recognition from the Michelin Guide.

The celebration took place at the Lyric Opera of Chicago this year, where finalists gathered after months of competition. Semifinalists were announced earlier this year, and finals were declared in March.

Houston sent six contenders to the awards, a record for the city, and beat out other major Texas culinary hubs, including Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio. The number of finalists from the city was comparable to major metro areas throughout the country, including Los Angeles and Minneapolis-St. Paul, and somewhat behind New York City and San Francisco.

The strong showing is a sign of Houston’s rising status as a diversified and dynamic food destination, driven by inventive chefs and a vast culinary environment.

Recently, Houston has been gaining recognition. Thomas Bille of Spring’s Belly of the Beast won the 2025 Best Chef: Texas award. Benchawan Jabthong, Painter of Street to Kitchen, was awarded the same honor in 2024.

The city’s first national James Beard Award came in 2022 when Julep took home Outstanding Bar Program.

Houston continues to solidify its spot as one of the nation’s finest culinary cities with another national win and many accolades this year.