6 Valley chefs named 2026 Best Chef Southwest semifinalists

🏅 Six Valley chefs have been named semifinalists for Best Chef Southwest in the 2026 James Beard Awards, the culinary world’s version of the Oscars:

• Roberto Centeno from Espiritu in Mesa;
• TJ Culp from Progress in Phoenix;
• Armando Hernandez and Nadia Holguin from Tacos Chiwas in Phoenix and Mesa;
• Scott Holmes from Little Miss BBQ in Phoenix;
• Kyle Kent from Chula Seafood in Phoenix.

Rochelle Daniel from Atria in Flagstaff and Claudia Vindiola from La Frida Mexican Grill & Seafood in Tucson also made the semis for the region covering Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.

The Valley is going for a third straight win in the category. Yotaka “Sunny” Martin from Lom Wong in Phoenix won last year, and Rene Andrade from Bacanora in Phoenix won in 2024.

Arizona’s other semifinalists in other categories this year:

• Outstanding Chef: Charleen Badman from FnB in Scottsdale;
• Best New Restaurant: Indibar in Scottsdale;
• Outstanding Bar: Highball in Phoenix;
• Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Zac Adcox from Kid Sister in Phoenix;
• Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: Ross Simon from Little Rituals in Phoenix.

Finalists will be announced March 31 and the winners June 15.