14 Best New Chefs to Watch in 2026

Food & Wine Best New Chefs

Mirra, Chicago — At Chicago's Mirra, Indian and Mexican culinary traditions come together in dishes like chaas aguachile and barbacoa biryani, drawing connections between two cuisines through shared ingredients, centuries-old techniques, migration, and the global spice routes that have shaped how we eat.

Lucas McKinney

Josephine's, Houston — At Josephine's in Houston, generations of Gulf Coast tradition come to the table through smoked redfish dip, blue crab, gumbo, Viet-Cajun crawfish, and more, with a menu rooted in a Mississippi family's seafood legacy and shaped by close relationships with local fishermen and farmers.

Masako Morishita

Perry's, Washington, D.C. — At Perry's in Washington, D.C., Japanese tradition, international influences, and personal nostalgia come together in joyful dishes like a shrimp katsu burger, udon carbonara, and miso nasu Bolognese — all served with a philosophy that food should make people feel happy and loved.

Carlos Delgado

Causa, Washington, D.C. — At Washington, D.C.'s Causa, Peru's diverse culinary traditions come to life through ingredients and dishes that tell the stories of the country's distinct regions, from Amazonian cacao and native potatoes to pristine seafood, all driven by a mission to share Peruvian culture.

Omar Tate & Cybille St. Aude-Tate

Honeysuckle, Philadelphia — Honeysuckle in Philadelphia celebrates the African diaspora through a flavorful tasting menu rooted in storytelling and community, showcasing bold dishes, playful cocktails, and joyful hospitality in a vibrant North Broad dining room.

See All 2026 Best New Chefs

Udon Carbonara

By Masako Morishita

Stewed Lima Beans with Salsa Macha

By Omar Tate & Cybile Aude-Tate

Barq's Peanut Pie

By Lucas McKinney

Brussels Sprouts Saag with Macha Verde

By Zubair Mohajir & Rishi Kumar

The Restaurant Where Every Dish Tells a Story of Black America

By Kat Kinsman

Tom Colicchio Talks ADHD, a Life-Changing Motorcycle Ride, and 25 Years of Craft

By Kat Kinsman

Nancy Silverton Still Has Nightmares About Being Unprepared — Even After Decades at the Top

By Kat Kinsman

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