Caption: Chef Jackson Stamper, Wine Goddess Kat Thomas and Chef James Trees at Ada’s in Tivoli Village. Ada’s is now located in The Arts District in Downtown Las Vegas. | Jose Salinas

More: JamesBeard.org

I’ve said for years that Las Vegas is not only The Entertainment Capital of the World, but it also is a Dining Capital of the World. The proof is in the pudding, as Las Vegas has garnered a record number of 2026 James Beard Award nominations: 14.

I remember some recent years when Las Vegas received only two nods. Here is the esteemed list announced this week alongside the Oscars – a James Beard Award nomination and win is very much like the Academy Award of the culinary world:

Outstanding Restaurateur: Elizabeth Blau (Buddy V’s, Honey Salt)

Best New Restaurant: Tamba

Best New Bar: Nocturno

Outstanding Beverage Service: Bank Atcharawan (Jipata)

Outstanding Cocktail Service: Mariena Mercer Boarini (Aft Cocktail Deck)

Emerging Chef: Ellie Parker (Main St. Provisions)

Parker is one of two finalists on Gordon Ramsay’s “Hell’s Kitchen.” The winner will be named tonight.

Outstanding Pastry Chef: Kimberly Mcintosh (Milkfish)

Outstanding Wine: Ada’s

Best Chef (Southwest):

Oulay Ceesay Fisher (Calabash African Kitchen)

Brian Howard (Sparrow + Wolf)

Yuri Szarzewski (Partage)

Sarah Thompson (Casa Playa)

Jamie Tran (Black Sheep)

James Trees (Bar Bohème)

I’ve had the honor and privilege of working with many of the chefs on this list in my 18 years in Las Vegas. There are of course many other chefs, restaurateurs and employees in Las Vegas who should be on this list, but it is nonetheless exciting news for Las Vegas.

Well-deserved honors and heartiest congratulations to these culinary stars in The Dining Capital of the World!