Local chef named Beard finalist
Earl Reynolds of Whitefish, Montana, was named a James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef — the second time he’s reached that stage in his career. (kpax.com).
Whitefish chef Earl Reynolds is back on the James Beard Awards finalist list, giving Montana another shot at one of the restaurant industry’s top honors. (kpax.com) The James Beard Foundation named Reynolds a 2026 finalist in Best Chef: Mountain on March 31. He cooks at Herb & Omni in Whitefish, and this is the second time he has reached the finalist stage. (jamesbeard.org) (kpax.com) The Mountain region category covers Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming. Yellowstone Public Radio reported Reynolds was one of Montana’s finalists after a January semifinalist round that included four Montana chefs in Best Chef. (ypradio.org 1) (ypradio.org 2) The James Beard Awards are run by the James Beard Foundation, a New York-based nonprofit that says the prizes recognize excellence in the independent restaurant industry. The foundation has presented the awards since 1990. (jamesbeard.org 1) (jamesbeard.org 2) For Whitefish, the nomination puts a local restaurant in a national awards cycle that often centers larger food cities. Herb & Omni describes Reynolds as a Whitefish native and says the restaurant serves both plant-based and meat-based dishes inside 101 Central. (herbandomni.com) Montana had other 2026 James Beard recognition before the finalist round. Yellowstone Public Radio reported semifinalist nods in January for Bozeman restaurateurs Brett Evje and Michael Oschner in Outstanding Restaurateur, plus chefs in Missoula, Hamilton, Whitefish and Bozeman in the Mountain chef category. (ypradio.org) The 2026 Restaurant and Chef Awards winners will be announced June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, according to the foundation. Reynolds now heads into that final round with Whitefish on the national list again. (jamesbeard.org)
