Three Buncombe County Culinary Leaders Named 2026 James Beard Semifinalists

Three culinary leaders tied to Asheville earned semifinalist nominations in the 2026 James Beard Awards, marking a significant recognition for Buncombe County’s dining and food-production sectors. The list released Jan. 21 named Meherwan and Molly Irani of Chai Pani Restaurant Group as semifinalists for Outstanding Restaurateur, and chefs Matt Dawes of The Bull and Beggar and Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm as semifinalists in the Best Chef, Southeast category.

The nominations highlight local strengths in small business leadership, chef-driven restaurants, and farm-to-table supply chains. Meherwan and Molly Irani oversee the Chai Pani Restaurant Group, a multi-location enterprise that has been a visible presence in Asheville’s dining scene and in regional philanthropy and community engagement. Matt Dawes is the chef at The Bull and Beggar, a restaurant that helped redefine high-end dining in downtown Asheville. Taylor Montgomery operates Montgomery Sky Farm, a farm and culinary operation that connects local production directly to restaurant menus and played a role in post-Helene revival work in the area.

For Buncombe County, James Beard semifinalist recognition often translates into measurable economic activity: increased reservations, out-of-area visitors seeking destination dining, and higher demand for local produce and specialty ingredients. Local restaurants and farms that join national conversations tend to see short-term spikes in bookings and supplier orders, which can support employment across front-of-house, kitchen, and agricultural roles. The nominations arrive as the industry continues to grapple with labor shortages and rising input costs, so any sustained lift to revenue can have a meaningful effect on margins and hiring plans.

There are also policy and planning implications. County tourism and economic development officials can use national recognition as leverage in marketing campaigns and in grant applications aimed at workforce training, small business support, and infrastructure that eases seasonal visitor pressure. Strengthening direct-market channels between farms like Montgomery Sky Farm and restaurants can improve farm resilience, especially in the wake of extreme weather events such as Helene that disrupted local supply chains.

The James Beard Foundation will announce finalists on March 31, with winners revealed at the June awards ceremony. For diners and local suppliers, the semifinalist nods are both a point of pride and a practical signal: expect greater visibility for Chai Pani Restaurant Group, The Bull and Beggar, and Montgomery Sky Farm in the coming months, and watch for increased demand that could translate into more jobs, higher farm revenues, and a bump for Buncombe County’s tourism economy.