The James Beard Awards — often called the Oscars of the food world — have been the gold standard for culinary excellence in the United States for more than three decades. Each year, the awards shine a national spotlight on chefs and restaurants that elevate dining through creativity, technique, community impact, and sustainability.
The James Beard Foundation announced its 2026 semifinalists, with ten Florida restaurants and chefs earning recognition across multiple categories. For the chefs and restaurants selected, the honor can be transformational. According to the Foundation, 96% of surveyed semifinalists in 2025 reported a positive economic and community impact following their recognition.
While the awards span many cuisines and formats, we couldn’t help but ask one important question here at BocaBurgerBattle.com:
Which of this year’s South Florida James Beard semifinalists also serve a burger — or a beef-forward dish that burger lovers would appreciate?
Let’s take a closer look.
Florida’s 2026 James Beard Semifinalists
The Florida chefs and restaurants named semifinalists this year include:
Born and Bread Bakehouse – Lakeland
Amara at Paraiso – Miami
Bar Bucce – Miami
Michael Beltran, Ariete – Miami
Bryce Bonsack, Rocca – Tampa
Toni Elkhouri, Cedar’s Cafe – Melbourne
Maria Teresa Gallina & Nicolas Martinez, Recoveco – Miami
Barry Honan, Lotus Noodle Bar – St. Augustine
Maria La Mota & Chason Spencer, Chancho King – Jacksonville
Wendy Lopez, Reyes Mezcaleria – Orlando
The South Florida Burger Connection
Among the South Florida semifinalists, a few names stand out for burger fans — either for actual burgers on the menu or for chef-driven beef dishes that deliver the same satisfaction.
Ariete (Miami) – Chef Michael Beltran
If there’s one semifinalist that already resonates with burger lovers, it’s Ariete. Chef Michael Beltran has earned national acclaim for blending Cuban flavors with modern American cooking — and yes, Ariete is well-known for its burger. Often cited as one of Miami’s best, it’s a perfect example of how elevated technique can turn a simple burger into a destination dish.
Bar Bucce (Miami)
Bar Bucce leans Italian, but like many modern neighborhood restaurants, it embraces high-quality proteins and comfort-forward dishes. While menus evolve seasonally, this is the type of spot where a chef-driven burger or beef sandwich wouldn’t be surprising — especially given the growing trend of upscale Italian-American burger offerings.
Amara at Paraiso (Miami)
Known for bold Latin flavors and wood-fired cooking, Amara at Paraiso doesn’t market itself as a burger restaurant — but its approach to beef, fire, and technique speaks directly to what great burgers are all about: quality ingredients, proper seasoning, and respect for the protein.
Why This Matters for Burger Culture
The James Beard Awards don’t just celebrate fine dining — they celebrate craft, intention, and impact. Over the years, burgers have increasingly become a canvas for that same level of creativity, from dry-aged blends and house-made buns to globally inspired toppings.
Seeing James Beard–recognized chefs embrace burgers (or burger-adjacent dishes) reinforces what we’ve always believed at the Boca Burger Battle:
A burger can be just as serious, skillful, and worthy of recognition as any white-tablecloth dish.
From James Beard Kitchens to the Boca Burger Battle Stage?
As South Florida continues to gain national culinary recognition, it raises an exciting possibility — could future James Beard semifinalists or nominees step into the burger spotlight?
At the Boca Burger Battle – A Grilling Affair, we celebrate chefs who push burger culture forward while giving back to the community. With Florida’s culinary scene hotter than ever, the line between award-winning kitchens and burger champions keeps getting thinner.
Know a James Beard–recognized chef serving a must-try burger?
Drop us a comment below. Burger culture is evolving — and we’re here for every bite.
Nominees will be announced March 31, with winners revealed June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Stay hungry.