Chef Jacob Potashnick of the highly ambitious Ukrainian Village restaurant Feld brought home Chicago’s lone James Beard Award for 2026.
Potashnick earned his medal in the Best Chef: Great Lakes category, where he faced off against a fleet of top talents,
including fellow Chicago chef Norman Fenton of Michelin-recognized Latin restaurant Cariño, Vinnie Cimino of Cordelia in Cleveland, and Cincinnati chefs Sarah Dworak of Sudova and Jeffery Harris of Nolia Kitchen.
Feld debuted in 2024 with an elaborate 30-course tasting menu that initially divided critics. Leading up to its arrival, Potashnick faithfully chronicled the road to opening on TikTok. “Feld is a 20-seat restaurant with 9 staff,” Potashnick explained on stage, noting that the small staff makes it easy to thank each one.
Chef Bailey Sullivan from Chicago Italian restaurant Monteverde was up for an award in the Emerging Chef category, but Adrian Torres of Maximo in West University Place, Texas, ultimately claimed the win.
Overall, the mood on Monday evening was celebratory. Many speeches throughout the night championed the achievements and contributions of immigrants and women within the hospitality industry. The Foundation’s Media Awards were held this past Saturday, with Chicago Tribune writer Ahmed Ali Akbar taking home a win in the Foodways category.
Disclosure: Some Vox Media staff members are part of the voting body for the James Beard Foundation Awards.
