Top Culinary Awards Unveil Shortlist Ahead of Gala Celebration
Record-Breaking Submissions Reflect Industry Resilience as Finalists Span 15 Categories
CHICAGO, Nov. 20, 2025 – The Global Culinary Excellence Awards announced its 2026 shortlist today, recognizing 60 finalists from across North America in what organizers call the most competitive selection process in the program’s 12-year history. Winners will be revealed during the black-tie gala ceremony on January 28, 2026, at the Aon Grand Ballroom, with proceeds supporting culinary education initiatives nationwide.
The finalist pool reflects notable geographic diversity, with nominees representing 18 metropolitan markets from Seattle to Miami. Categories range from Chef of the Year and Restaurant of the Year to emerging distinctions such as Sustainable Kitchen Innovation and Beverage Program Excellence. Several establishments garnered multiple nominations, including Chicago’s Perilla Fare for Chef of the Year and Hospitality Leadership, and Seattle’s Atoma for Best New Restaurant and Pastry Innovation.
Industry data underscores the growing significance of culinary recognition programs. The James Beard Foundation reported a 23% increase in award submissions for 2025, with nominee pools expanding across all categories . This trend aligns with broader market recovery, as the National Restaurant Association projects the sector to reach $1.1 trillion in sales this year, employing 15.7 million workers. The Global Culinary Excellence Awards received 847 submissions this cycle, a 31% increase from 2024, indicating heightened competition as establishments seek validation for creative excellence and operational resilience.
“The quality of nominations this year demonstrates how chefs and restaurateurs have evolved beyond survival mode,” said Rebecca Martinez, executive director of the Global Culinary Excellence Awards. “We’re seeing boundary-pushing concepts that address sustainability, cultural authenticity, and labor equity alongside exceptional culinary craft. These finalists represent the vanguard of an industry that’s fundamentally redefining what hospitality means in 2025.”
Statistical analysis reveals several emerging patterns. Women and minority-led establishments comprise 61% of this year’s shortlist, the highest percentage in the awards’ history. The average finalist operates with 42% lower profit margins than pre-pandemic benchmarks, yet maintains above-average employee retention rates of 78%. Plant-forward menus appear in 73% of nominated restaurants, compared to just 34% in 2020, reflecting shifting consumer preferences documented by the Specialty Food Association’s 2025 trend report.
The January gala will feature live cooking demonstrations from five finalist chefs, a silent auction of culinary experiences expected to raise $400,000 for scholarship programs, and the inaugural presentation of the Legacy Leadership Award honoring veteran restaurateur Maria Santos. Individual tickets begin at $350, with corporate tables starting at $5,000. Last year’s event generated 1.2 billion media impressions and directly funded 23 culinary school scholarships.
The Global Culinary Excellence Awards operate as a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to advancing the culinary profession through recognition, education, and mentorship. Since 2014, the program has distributed $3.7 million in grants to emerging chefs and funded professional development for over 800 kitchen staff. Judging panels consist entirely of anonymous food journalists, prior award winners, and certified sommeliers who evaluate nominees through multiple anonymous dining experiences and operational interviews.
Media accreditation for the January gala opens December 1, with limited availability for chef interviews and kitchen tours. High-resolution photography and finalist fact sheets are available at www.culinaryexcellenceawards.org/press.
About the Global Culinary Excellence Awards
Founded in 2014, the Global Culinary Excellence Awards is the nation’s premier independent recognition program for culinary professionals. Through rigorous anonymous evaluation by expert panels, the organization honors outstanding achievement in restaurants, food service, and beverage innovation while funding educational initiatives that support the next generation of hospitality leaders. The annual gala ceremony has become a definitive event in the culinary calendar, attracting industry stakeholders, media, and gastronomy enthusiasts from across North America.
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