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/.
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Warehouse215, 215 E Grant St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States
