Two Chattanooga restaurants were named Wednesday as semifinalists for 2026 James Beard Awards.
Niedlov’s Bakery and Cafe, 215 E. Main St., is a semifinalist for outstanding bakery on a list with 19 other bakeries from around the country.
And Khaled AlBanna, chef and co-owner of Calliope, 422 E. M.L. King Blvd., is a semifinalist for Best Chef: Southeast, which represents the states of Georgia, Kentucky, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia.
The annual awards are sponsored by the James Beard Foundation, named after the TV chef and cookbook author known as the “Dean of American Cookery.”
According to the foundation website, restaurant and chef nominees will be announced March 31, and winners will be announced June 15 at an awards ceremony in Chicago.