Indian Chefs, Eateries, Land 2026 James Beard Nods

Photo: (Top): Molly Irani and Meherwan Irani (Source: Instagram)
Photo: (Bottom): Ayesha Thapar, Srijith Gopinathan (Source: Instagram)

India-West News Desk

CHICAGO, IL – The James Beard Foundation has announced several Indian American culinary leaders and establishments as finalists for the 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards. The honors recognize what the Foundation characterizes as “exceptional talent and leadership within the independent restaurant industry.”

The new nominations highlight a significant presence of Indian cuisine in the upper echelons of the U.S. culinary scene.

In the category of National Outstanding Restaurateur, the foundation recognized Srijith Gopinathan and Ayesha Thapar of the California-based Cal-India Collective. The hospitality group, which operates Ettan, Copra, Eylan, and Little Blue Door across Palo Alto, San Francisco, Menlo Park, and Los Altos, is known for blending contemporary plating with traditional Indian flavors. While Gopinathan is credited with the group’s culinary direction and luxury hospitality standards, Thapar has been instrumental in shaping the identity and expansion of the collective’s multiple concepts.

Also in the Outstanding Restaurateur category are Meherwan and Molly Irani of the Chai Pani Restaurant Group. The duo, whose flagship Asheville, North Carolina location previously won a James Beard Award in 2022, also operates the Botiwalla brand. According to the company, Meherwan Irani focuses on evolving American perceptions of Indian street food, while Molly Irani, serving as chief culture officer, manages the group’s workplace standards and restaurant operations.

In the national Best New Restaurant category, Tamba in Las Vegas has been named a finalist. Originally launched on the Strip in 2004, the restaurant was recently reintroduced in Town Square under the leadership of Chef Anand Singh. The contemporary concept is noted for combining traditional Indian cooking with modern live-fire techniques, utilizing specialized equipment such as the tandoor and Josper charcoal oven to produce its coastal-inspired menu.

The winners of the 2026 awards will be announced during a ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on June 15. The festivities will also include the Impact Awards on June 14, a category established in 2025 to honor those working toward a more sustainable and equitable food system. Other major honors to be presented during the Chicago event include the Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian of the Year awards.