2026 Foodist Awards Finalists Announced

The 12th Annual Foodist Awards presented by A-Z Air Duct takes place on Monday, Feb. 23 at Warehouse215 in Phoenix. In advance of this extravagant evening of celebration, the Arizona Restaurant Association has announced the 2026 Foodist Awards finalists.

“The Foodist Awards serves as our official awards program, recognizing the best of the best including restaurants, bars, companies and individuals who demonstrate exceptional business acumen, leadership and creativity while shaping Arizona’s culinary landscape,” said Steve Chucri, Arizona Restaurant Association president and CEO. “We look forward to honoring the finalists with a celebration worthy of these talented and hardworking individuals. We’d also like to recognize our presenting sponsor, A-Z Air Duct, for its generous support this year.”

The nominations for the 2026 Foodist Awards included six new categories: Best Bread, Top Happy Hour Spot, Best Place to Watch a Game, Immersive Culinary Experience, Favorite Neighborhood Hangout, and Hotel Restaurant Hot Spot. The Foodist Awards finalists were determined by public votes and contributions from this year’s Foodist Awards panelists. Finalists are as follows:

Food and Beverage

Standout Signature Dish

• Beef Wellington, Anhelo
• California Burrito, Chula’s Seafood
• Veal Parmesan, DiMaggios

Best Bread

• Andres Candough/Doughvine Bread
• Barrio Bread, Tucson
• Noble Bread

Arizona Grown Purveyors

• Arizona Grass Raised Beef
• Bagelfeld
• Sonoran Pasta Co

Favorite Local Craft Beer

• Beach Cruiser – Pedal Haus Brewery
• Don’t F*@k It Up, Honey Blonde – Arizona Wilderness Brewing
• Sluice Box Sour Series – Smelter Town Brewery

Most Creative Handcrafted Cocktail Program

• Course Restaurant
• Highball
• Indibar

Experiences

Top Happy Hour Spot

• Buck & Rider
• Pizza to the Rescue
• Uchi Scottsdale

Outstanding Bar/Nightlife Experience

• Boondocks
• Dropdead Gorgeous
• Harold’s Corral

Best Place to Watch a Game

• DraftKings at TPC Scottsdale
• Social Tap
• Zipp’s

Exceptional Fine Dining Culinary Experience

• Shibay
• The Ends
• Virtu Honest Craft

Immersive Culinary Experience

• Christopher’s at the Wrigley Mansion
• Kauboi
• Three Thirty Three

Restaurants

Favorite Neighborhood Hangout

• Barcoa
• The Vig
• Karsens

Phenomenal Fast Casual Concept

• Bad Jimmy’s
• Sushi Friend
• Topo Arizona

Hotel Restaurant Hot Spot

• Elements, The Sanctuary Camelback Mountain
• Lon’s, Hermosa Inn
• ZuZu, Hotel Valley Ho

Uniquely Arizona

• Aunt Chiladas
• Bad Hambres
• Rusty Spur

Emerging Restaurant of the Year

• Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails
• Filthy Animal
• George & Gather

People

Team Member of the Year

• Brandon Minta, Collins Brothers Public House
• Nanci Harrington, JoJo Coffeehouse
• Laura McBride, Lakeside Bar & Grill

Manager of the Year

• Alex McGregor, Belmont Kitchen & Cocktails
• Michael Kostov, The Maggiore Group/Mexicano
• Natasha Hill, SanTan Spirit House/SanTan Brewing

Top Mixologist/Bartender

• Joe Intiso, Bluehound Kitchen & Cocktails
• Sam Olguin, Pour Bastards Hospitality
• Tait Ludwick, Poppy’s Office

Top Chef

• Bernie Kantak, In Good Spirits
• Chris Collins, Common Ground Culinary
• Dom Ruggiero, Fire at Will, Hush Public House

Finally, the Food Pioneer category serves as the Foodist Awards’ “lifetime achievement award.” This peer-voted award honors a lifetime of outstanding culinary excellence that continues to educate, inspire, entertain and foster a deeper understanding of the culinary culture in Arizona. The 2026 Food Pioneer is Chef Gio Osso, and will he be formally awarded at the ceremony on Monday, Feb. 23.

For more about the Foodist Awards and to purchase tickets, visit https://foodistawards.com/. For more about the Arizona Restaurant Association, visit https://azrestaurant.org/.

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