2 WA chefs eye first James Beard Awards win since 2020

Two Washington chefs were recognized as finalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards in a regional category.

The James Beard Foundation calls its awards “the pinnacle of culinary recognition in the U.S.,” otherwise known as the industry’s equivalent of an Academy Award.

Johnny Courtney at Atoma and Aaron Tekulve at Surrell were both named as finalists in the Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific category.

Courtney hails from New Mexico and previously worked as an executive sous-chef at one of Seattle’s finest-dining establishments, Canlis. In 2023, Courtney opened Atoma in Wallingford, serving New American cuisine with seasonal Pacific Northwest ingredients. The restaurant is currently housed in a 100-year-old Craftsman house at 1411 N. 45th Street.

“Our menu follows the seasons, always starting with what the Northwest is giving us right now and layering it with inspiration from our team’s global backgrounds,” Atoma stated. “Some dishes are elegant and precise, others are cheeky with funny names, but every plate reflects the same commitment: humble ingredients, treated with care, and crafted to be shared.”

Atoma’s Courtney, Surrell’s Tekulve represent Washington at James Beard Awards

Tekulve began his career in the restaurant industry at age 14. She worked at Canlis before opening Surrell in 2012 as a pop-up, which he later named in honor of his mother and grandmother. Surrell currently sits inside a century-old Victorian home at 2319 E. Madison Street, which includes a six-seat chef’s counter and an outdoor garden patio that is both covered and heated for year-round use.

“Our weekly menus highlight the variety of Washington’s terroir, from the bounty of Puget Sound and fertile farmland of the Cascades to eastern orchards and vineyards. Our dining areas reflect our warm, comfortable approach to service and hospitality,” Surrell stated. “Aaron’s cuisine is always in the pursuit of deliciousness using strong technique and love. Taking care in every little detail drives him to constantly improve and push himself to be better.”

Of the 16 semi-finalists selected for this year’s awards, seven were listed as Best Chef semi-finalists in the Northwest and Pacific region, which includes Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington.

Washington equaled its semi-finalist total from the year prior, though it failed to match its 2025 total of three finalists.

There was no finalist in 2025 who was named a winner from Washington. There has not been a James Beard Award winner in Washington since 2020, when Rupee Bar in Ballard won Best Restaurant Design.

The winners will be named on June 15 at the James Beard Awards ceremony in Chicago.

A full list of the 2026 finalists can be found here.

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