As the culinary world eagerly anticipates the prestigious 2026 James Beard Awards, Asheville’s local dining scene has reason to celebrate. Two standout establishments have emerged as finalists, representing North Carolina: Chai Pani Restaurant Group and Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm.
Chai Pani, spearheaded by Meherwan Irani, has been recognized multiple times by the James Beard Foundation, with over five nominations to its name. In 2022, the establishment won the Outstanding Restaurant award. This year, the group is vying for the Outstanding Restaurateur award, which honors those with at least seven years of experience and a dedication to creativity, integrity, and community.
Since its inception in 2009 by Irani and his wife Molly, Chai Pani has become a key player in popularizing Indian street food across the South. Originally housed in a modest space on Asheville’s Wall Street, the restaurant relocated in 2024 to a more expansive 10,000-square-foot venue on the South Slope, yet still sees patrons waiting for up to an hour for a table. The Iranis have also expanded their footprint with Botiwalla, two fast-casual eateries in Asheville, and Chai Pani locations in both DC and Atlanta.
On a different note, Taylor Montgomery is a fresh face among the James Beard nominees. Formerly leading Urban Wren in Greenville, SC, Montgomery now runs Montgomery Sky Farm in Leicester. This 50-acre farm features rescue pigs, capybara, and Scottish Highland cattle, and offers unique dining experiences like bi-monthly ticketed group dinners and private dining events.
Montgomery Sky Farm’s culinary offerings are characterized by seasonal five-course tasting menus, with ingredients sourced directly from the farm. This innovative approach has earned Montgomery a nomination for Best Chef: Southeast.
Meanwhile, Chef Matt Dawes of Bull and Beggar, another Asheville favorite, was a semi-finalist for Best Chef: Southeast but did not advance further in the competition.
Previous James Beard accolades in the region include:
- Cúrate Bar de Tapas, 2022 Winner: Outstanding Hospitality.
- Ashleigh Shanti/Good Hot Fish, 2025 Winner: Media Award for her cookbook “Our South: Black Food Through My Lens.”
- Neng Jr.’s/Silver Iocavazzi, 2023 Finalist, 2025 Finalist: Best Chef: Southeast.
- The Market Place, 2024 Semifinalist: Outstanding Restaurant.
- Plant/Jason Sellers, 2024 Semifinalist: Best Chef: Southeast.
- OWL Bakery/Susannah Gebhart, 2022 Semifinalist: Outstanding Baker.
- Benne on Eagle/Cleophus Hethington, 2022 Semifinalist: Emerging Chef.
The winners of the James Beard Awards will be revealed in mid-June. For more information, see the full list of nominees.
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