March 31, 2026

No James Beard finalist nod for Charlotte

Chef Robin Anthony misses last round

Robin Anthony netted two Michelin Recommendations this past year, but James Beard recoginition will have to wait. TM Petaccia/UP

by TM Petaccia

A Charlotte chef earning the city’s first James Beard Award will have to wait at least another year.

The city’s only semifinalist, Robin Anthony of Omakase by Prime Fish, was not named to the final round for Best Chef: Southeast. One North Carolina chef, Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm in Leicester, N.C, was named as one of the five Southeast finalists as well as Joe Cash of Scoundrel in in Greenville, South Carolina. Scoundrel received a one-star Michelin award last fall.

In addition, Meherwan Irani and Molly Irani of Chai Pani Restaurant Group (Chai Pani and Botiwalla) in Asheville were named as finalists for this year’s Outstanding Restaurateur award.

Anthony opened Omakase by Prime Fish in spring 2022 as an add-on to the success garnered at his original Prime Fish Ballantyne location. Omakase and Prime Fish both recently received Michelin recommendations.

The foundation has yet to name its Media and Journalism finalists for 2026. Those are expected to be announced on Wednesday, May 6.

All James Beard winners will be announced Monday, June 15, 2026 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.