Rhode Island's food scene will be represented on the national stage this summer as the James Beard Foundation announced its 2026 Restaurant and Chef Award finalists, with two Ocean State nominees advancing to the final round.
The James Beard Foundation Awards are sometimes referred to as the Oscars of the food world.
Chef Derek Wagner of Nick’s on Broadway in Providence was named a finalist for Best Chef: Northeast, one of the Foundation’s most competitive regional categories. The nomination places Wagner among the top chefs across the six New England states.
In a separate category, Loma, a Providence cocktail bar, earned a finalist spot for Best New Bar, underscoring the city’s growing reputation not just for dining, but for its bar and hospitality scene.
Rhode Island finalists
Best Chef: Northeast
- Derek Wagner — Nick’s on Broadway, Providence
Best New Bar
- Loma — Providence
The recognition marks a strong showing for Rhode Island, which continues to punch above its weight in national food conversations. Wagner, a longtime leader in the state’s farm-to-table movement, has helped define Providence’s dining identity through a focus on local sourcing and seasonal menus.
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A nearby nod
Just over the Rhode Island border, David Standridge of The Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic, Connecticut, was also named a finalist in the Best Chef: Northeast category. Chefs or restauranters from every New England state but Massachusetts made the list of finalists in at least one category.
What comes next
Winners of the 2026 James Beard Awards will be announced June 15 in Chicago.
Even reaching the finalist stage is considered a major achievement, often bringing national visibility and increased demand for restaurants and bars.
For Rhode Island, the dual nominations reinforce the state’s standing as a destination for standout dining and innovative hospitality — with more eyes now on Providence ahead of this summer’s awards ceremony.
