Six CT Semifinalists at the 2026 James Beard Awards

Connecticut is represented SIX times as semifinalists in the 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards!

This year’s CT nominees are:

Outstanding Chef

•  David Standridge | The Shipwright's Daughter

Best Chef Northeast

• David DiStasi | Materia Ristorante
• Bolivar Hilario | Community Table Restaurant
• Shilimat Tessema | Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant

Best New Restaurant

• ROLi | New Haven

Outstanding Wine & Other Beverages Program

• The Port of Call | Mystic

HUGE congratulations to Chefs David, David, Bolivar & Shilimat, ROLi and The Port of Call for this incredible recognition!

Semifinalists continue to the next round of the awards process, which will be announced March 31.

View full list of semifinalists here.