3 chefs, a restaurant and a bar, all in Boise, nominated for James Beard Awards
The list of semifinalists has been revealed for the 2026 James Beard Awards.
And Idaho has five seats at the table.
Three chefs, a restaurant and a bar have received nods in the Restaurant and Chef Awards division of the honors, which are sometimes referred to as the Oscars of the culinary universe.
Here are this year’s semifinalists from Idaho — all in Boise.
Best Chef: Mountain
(Chefs in this category are chosen from restaurants in Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming.)
Cal Elliott — The Avery, 1010 W. Main St.: A Boise native, Elliott spent almost three decades working in New York City’s dining scene. In 2020, Elliott launched Little Pearl Oyster Bar in downtown Boise before opening his own fine-dining restaurant at The Avery Hotel, 1010 Main St., in 2023. He also was a James Beard semifinalist last year.
Nathan Whitley — Terroir, 160 N. 8th St.: Established in 2021, Terroir first earned a following with a semi-constant food trailer parked outside Telaya Wine Co. in Garden City. Terroir followed that up with a downtown Boise brick-and-mortar in 2024. A longtime local chef, Whitley also was nominated as a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2015 while working at The Modern Hotel and Bar, and in 2025 with Terroir co-owner Rémi Courcenet.
Alex Cardoza — Susina: 1621 N. Orchard St.: A longtime culinary talent in the City of Trees, Cardoza launched cozy, inviting prix-fixe standout Susina in 2024 with his wife, Tara Morgan. The restaurant, which changes its menu regularly, delivers a “European-inspired three-course dinner ... that blends local, seasonal and organic ingredients.”
Outstanding Hospitality
Ansots Basque Chorizos & Catering: Since opening in 2020, Ansots has served traditional Basque cuisine with a focus on chorizos. A key player on the Boise food scene for more than four decades, co-owner Dan Ansotegui founded Bar Gernika in 1991, then the Basque Market eight years later. Ansotegui is a three-time Best Chef: Mountain semifinalist.
Best New Bar
Bar Please!, 620 W. Idaho St.: Launched in 2024, the cocktail hangout is in the same building as Thick as Thieves, a modern-day speakeasy with the same owners as Bar Please. It describes itself as “a neighborhood bar in downtown Boise.”
Idaho has only three wins in the history of the James Beard Awards, which were established in 1990. Two were in the Best Chef: Mountain category: Kris Komori, co-owner of Kin in downtown Boise, in 2023; and Salvador Alamilla, co-owner of Amano in Caldwell, in 2025. Neither man was nominated this year; no chef can be on the ballot in the same category for five years after winning. The Pioneer Saloon in Ketchum also was one of six restaurants honored with a 2025 America’s Classics Award.
The pared-down list of James Beard Awards finalist nominees will be unveiled March 31. Overall winners will be crowned June 15 during a ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
This story was originally published January 21, 2026 at 10:35 AM.