Chef Adrian Torres
2026 James Beard Award Winner: Emerging Chef
Which has changed more since winning, your schedule, your phone, or your ego?
My phone. There’s always something coming through, whether it's friends or family calling or texting or emails from people wanting a reservation—also, Instagram. My social media has been crazy.
Has anyone asked to take a selfie with you while you're eating, or doing something mundane?
Yes. I went to HEB the other day and took a picture with someone. I used to get a little nervous or embarrassed, but I'm getting past that and having fun with it now.
What is the strangest congratulatory message you received?
There have been a lot of messages from Mexico from people I don’t even know.
Where is the medal itself?
At home in a drawer.
Has anyone from your past suddenly remembered that they're your biggest fan?
Yes, friends from high school. I think to myself – we weren’t even friends.
Evelyn Garcia
2026 James Beard Award Winner: Best Chef, Texas
Which has changed more since winning, your schedule, your phone, or your ego?
Mostly my schedule. That first week after winning was crazy. I had to spend more time at the restaurant to make sure we were prepared and could support our team as much as possible. Our reservations just booked up overnight.
Has anyone asked to take a selfie with you while you're eating, or doing something mundane? Yes!
Has anyone from your past suddenly remembered that they're your biggest fan?
Yes. You know, it's always those high school friends that you haven’t spoken to in years.
Where is the medal itself?
At home. Currently on the wall of my art room, but I really want to get it professionally framed.
Henry Lu
2026 James Beard Award Winner: Best Chef, Texas
Which has changed more since winning, your schedule, your phone, or your ego?
My schedule. I live by my calendar.
Has anyone asked to take a selfie with you while you're eating, or doing something mundane?
All the time. I'll be cleaning a table, and they'll be like, "Excuse me, can I take a selfie?”
What is the strangest congratulatory message you received?
Honestly, I haven't gotten anything strange. People have asked me what weird things I have done with my medal, and I don't even know what to say.
Where is the medal itself?
We each got one, and mine is proudly displayed on a shelf in my living room, along with my artwork and all my plants.
Has anyone from your past suddenly remembered that they're your biggest fan?
A lot of the former cooks I've mentored were messaging me, saying they are so proud of me and that they knew this was going to happen for me one day. Those moments make me happier than almost anything.