An outstanding cocktail service, an informal Japanese-inspired pub, and a Shawnee speakeasy are among the Kansas City area restaurants and bars nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award this year.
Also among the honorees was Helen Jo Leach, executive pastry chef at The Town Company in downtown Kansas City, and her husband, Executive Chef Johnny Leach. The restaurant specializes in locally-sourced food centered around a white oak burning hearth.
“We're extremely humbled and excited because it means a lot to us,” said Helen Jo Leach, “but also to the people we work with. And, of course, we're excited for Kansas City.”
This is the second year Town Company has been recognized in two categories: Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker and Best Chef: Midwest.
"We're just very proud to be amongst such a great community of culinary fans and people in the hospitality industry here in KC," Johnny Leach said."There's nothing but bright things in the future for the city, and it's just a great time to be here and doing what we're doing."
Jay Sanders’ speakeasy in Shawnee, Drastic Measures, got its third nomination this year. In 2025, he was a semifinalist in the Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service category with his cocktail bar Wild Child, just a few doors down from Drastic Measures.
"It's great and everybody's having a good day," said Jay Sanders, crediting the Drastic Measures staff. “We're very proud."
Sanders also lauded Kansas City’s tight-knit culinary scene, where he said everyone supports each other.
"We respect each other and we get along with each other,” Sanders said. “There's not a whole lot of beef in the city, in that regard."
Winning a James Beard Foundation Award can propel a restaurant and its chef into the national spotlight. They’re often called the “Oscars of the food world,” and the honor carries immense influence.
This year’s nominees were announced on Instagram on Wednesday morning. The James Beard Foundation will announce finalists for each category in early April, and the winners will be announced in Chicago in June.
The awards were established in 1986, to honor cookbook author James Beard, and the foundation promotes equitable and diverse food culture through education, advocacy, and its awards program.
Kansas City had seven nominations in 2025, although no restaurants or bars ended up making the shortlist of finalists.
Here are all the local chefs and establishments that made the national and regional lists this year.
Best New Restaurant
Anjin, Kansas City, Missouri
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Helen Jo Leach, The Town Company, Kansas City, Missouri
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
Diana Condori, Fern Bar, Kansas City, Missouri
Best Chef: Midwest
Johnny Leach, The Town Company, Kansas City, Missouri
Swetha Newcomb, Of Course, Overland Park, Kansas
Outstanding Bar
Drastic Measures, Shawnee, Kansas
Other Missouri and Kansas restaurants
Best Chef: Midwest
Jason Rickard and Jordan Rickard, FioRito in Wichita, Kansas
Outstanding Restaurant
Vicia in St. Louis
