Neale Asato named James Beard finalist

Neale Asato is Hawaiʻi’s only finalist in the 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards. He advanced in the national Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category. (hawaiipublicradio.org) (jamesbeard.org) The James Beard Foundation announced this year’s restaurant and chef nominees on March 31, 2026. Winners will be named June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. (jamesbeard.org 1) (jamesbeard.org 2) Asato runs Asato Family Shop in Honolulu and recently expanded with Asatos Waikīkī, which includes Flavor Lab, a three-course dessert omakase. Honolulu Magazine reported that opening landed in January 2026. (honolulumagazine.com 1) (honolulumagazine.com 2) Hawaiʻi had nine semifinalists in the 2026 restaurant and chef awards. Asato was the only one to move from the January semifinal round into the final five in his category. (alohastatedaily.com) (hawaiipublicradio.org) His category is national, not regional. The other 2026 finalists for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker are Susan Bae, Tavel Bristol-Joseph, Maggie Huff, and Justine MacNeil. (honolulumagazine.com) In an April 27 interview with Hawaiʻi Public Radio, Asato said the finalist nod left him “speechless” and said his family was “super grateful” for the recognition. He said he did not know his shop could even be nominated when the semifinalists were announced. (hawaiipublicradio.org) Asato told Hawaiʻi Public Radio that the business began as a home side project and a way to make extra money for his family. He said his mother joined after retiring from the Hawaiʻi Department of Education, and the operation later grew into a broader family business. (hawaiipublicradio.org) He traced the sherbet idea to childhood trips to Tasaka Guri Guri on Maui and to making frozen desserts at home after his family returned to Oʻahu. He said he wanted to build something “fun” and “nostalgic.” (hawaiipublicradio.org) Honolulu Magazine described Asato’s flavors as both local and experimental, from li hing vanilla float and Green River sherbet to Aloha Shoyu sherbet and Spam, eggs and rice ice cream. The magazine said his sherbet had already become a fixture around Oʻahu before the Beard recognition. (honolulumagazine.com) The nomination also extends a recent run of national James Beard recognition for Hawaiʻi. Honolulu Magazine noted that Bar Leather Apron won Outstanding Bar in 2023, and Fête chef Robynne Maii won Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific in 2022. (honolulumagazine.com) Asato’s sherbet-first business now heads to Chicago as the state’s only finalist. The result on June 15 will decide whether that family shop joins Hawaiʻi’s short list of national James Beard winners. (jamesbeard.org) (hawaiipublicradio.org)