James Beard nod for Asato

Neale Asato of Honolulu’s Asato Family Shop is one of five 2026 James Beard finalists for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. (jamesbeard.org) The James Beard Foundation announced the finalists on March 31, and it will name winners on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. (jamesbeard.org) Asato first appeared on the awards list as a semifinalist on January 21 before advancing to the final round in the national category. (jamesbeard.org 1) (jamesbeard.org 2) The nomination puts a Hawaiʻi dessert business built around sherbet into one of the foundation’s top pastry categories, a field that usually spotlights restaurant pastry programs and bakeries across the mainland. (alohastatedaily.com) (goodmorningamerica.com) Aloha State Daily reported that Asato said the recognition reflects years of pastry work at the family shop, where he has built a following for frozen desserts and sweets tied to local flavors and memories. (alohastatedaily.com) The business’s own website says its Pali shop is closed and that it is increasing pint production for Foodland and its Waikīkī scoop shop. (asatofamilyshop.com) Honolulu Magazine reported that Asato also expanded this year with an omakase-style dessert bar in Waikīkī, giving the brand a higher-profile showcase as awards season moved from semifinalists to finalists. (honolulumagazine.com) For Hawaiʻi, the finalist slot narrows a longer January list of local James Beard semifinalists down to a single pastry chef still in contention for a national award in April. (alohastatedaily.com) (honolulumagazine.com) The next date on the calendar is June 15, when the James Beard Foundation’s 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony will decide whether Asato’s sherbet-focused shop turns a finalist nod into a win. (jamesbeard.org)