Three Outstanding Montana Chefs Among the Best in America

Three talented Montana chefs have been included on a list of James Beard Award finalists. It's one of the highest honors in the culinary world.

The food scene in Montana is worthy of celebration, and three standout chefs will representing the state in the upcoming James Beard Award ceremony in Chicago on June 16.

Montana Chefs Nominated For Highest Honor in Culinary World

Montana is no stranger to the James Beard Awards. Restaurants, bakeries, chefs, and more have been nominated in the past. Several outstanding Montanans have been named finalists, but none have won an award.

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On April 2, the James Beard Foundation released its list of finalists, and three of Montana's best chefs were included in the Best Chef: Mountain category, which includes Montana, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming. Here's the full list of finalists.

You can find more information about the Montana chefs who were nominated below.

• Joshua Adams - Campione - Livingston, Montana
• Brandon Cunningham - The Social Haus - Greenough, Montana
• David Wells - The Tasting Room at Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa - Pray, Montana

The James Beard Awards are the highest honor in the American food world. They are essentially the Oscars for restaurants, chefs, and other food-related businesses.

Here is an explanation of the awards from the James Beard Foundation website.

The mission of the James Beard Awards is to recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and broader food system, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.

Winners will be revealed at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 16, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.