These 5 Kansas City area restaurants and bars are 2026 James Beard Award semifinalists

Editor’s note: The following story was published by KCUR, Kansas City’s NPR member station, and a fellow member of the KC Media Collective. Click here to read the original story or here to sign up for KCUR’s email newsletter.

Some of Kansas City’s most highly regarded culinary figures are among this year’s nominees, including Helen Jo Leach and Johnny Leach at The Town Company; The list also includes several new area restaurants

An outstanding cocktail service, an informal Japanese-inspired pub, and a Shawnee speakeasy are among the Kansas City area restaurants and bars nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award this year.

Also among the honorees was Helen Jo Leach, executive pastry chef at The Town Company in downtown Kansas City, and her husband, Executive Chef Johnny Leach. The restaurant specializes in locally-sourced food centered around a white oak burning hearth. This is the second year Town Company has been recognized in two categories.

This year’s nominees were announced on Instagram on Wednesday morning. The James Beard Foundation will announce finalists for each category in early April, and the winners will be announced in Chicago in June.

Winning a James Beard Foundation Award can propel a restaurant and its chef into the national spotlight. They’re often called the “Oscars of the food world,” and the honor carries immense influence.

The awards were established in 1986, to honor cookbook author James Beard, and the foundation promotes equitable and diverse food culture through education, advocacy, and its awards program.

The husband and wife team of executive chef Johnny Leach and executive pastry chef Helen Jo Leach, at The Town Company. Helen Jo grows fresh herbs like lemon balm to use as garnishes. Both made it on to the list of semifinalists this year; photo by Julie Denesha, KCUR

Kansas City had seven nominations in 2025, although no restaurants or bars ended up making the shortlist of finalists.

Here are the local chefs and establishments that made the national and regional lists this year.

Best New Restaurant

Anjin, Kansas City, Missouri

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker

Helen Jo Leach, The Town Company, Kansas City, Missouri

Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service

Diana Condori, Fern Bar, Kansas City, Missouri

Best Chef: Midwest

Johnny Leach, The Town Company, Kansas City, Missouri

Swetha Newcomb, Of Course, Overland Park, Kansas

Outstanding Bar

Drastic Measures, Shawnee, Kansas

Swetha Newcomb from Of Course Kitchen & Company in Overland Park, Kansas, was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: Midwest; courtesy photo