More great news for Wisconsin’s food and beverage scene. This morning, the James Beard Foundation announced the finalists for its 2026 restaurant and chef awards, and some of our homegrowns are in the running!
First, in a category that Milwaukee has rarely popped up in, Best New Restaurant, 1033 Omakase stands beside nine other finalists. The Japanese tasting menu concept offers an intimate (10 diners per seating) experience with a measure of surprise, as the menu is not provided ahead of time.
In the category of Best Chef: Midwest, Zak Baker, chef/co-owner of Ca’Lucchenzo, is one of five finalists. Baker is known for his elegant, oftentimes unusual handmade pastas. He and his partner/wife Sarah opened Ca’Lucchenzo in 2019 and fly a little under the radar in their restaurant marketing. This is a well-deserved nod.
Said Zak in a phone interview back in February: “We kind of constructed [Ca’Lucchenzo] to be a slow burn” so that they’ve never been overwhelmed” by business or attention. “The thing we told the staff [after the JBF Award semifinalists were released in January] was to stay the course. The moment is not too big for us. Like, we just need to keep doing the things we always do. That’s why we were recognized in the first place.”
Tell us who you’d pick to be a Betty this year!
Finalists from other parts of Wisconsin and their categories:
- Cultured in Sister Bay: Outstanding Bakery. Cultured is known for sourdough breads, bagels, focaccia and sweet treats.
- Sway Brewing & Blending in Bailey’s Harbor: Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program. Sway’s focus is on sessionable, low-intervention beers (using ingredients sourced locally from regenerative farms).
- Hastings Cameron of Imaginary Factory in Madison: Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. Cameron, who founded his bar/micro-distillery five years ago, has developed a reputation for the unusual, incorporating house-made liqueurs and savory notes into his cocktails.
The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
