Houston, Texas — June 17, 2026 — Houston’s culinary community is celebrating a major national honor as Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of JŪN were named winners of Best Chef: Texas at the 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards.
Presented by the James Beard Foundation, the Restaurant and Chef Awards recognize excellence across the culinary arts, food and beverage, and hospitality industries. This year’s ceremony was held on Monday, June 15, 2026, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Garcia and Lu’s win marks a powerful moment for Houston’s growing national culinary profile. At JŪN, the acclaimed chef duo has built a restaurant rooted in creativity, culture, and collaboration, blending Garcia’s Houston upbringing and Lu’s New York background into a menu that reflects the diversity and dynamism of the city they call home.
“This recognition is not only a celebration of two extraordinary chefs, but also a celebration of Houston,” said Suzan Deison, CEO/President/Founder of the Greater Houston Women’s Chamber of Commerce. “Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu represent the innovation, resilience, and multicultural spirit that make Houston one of the most exciting food cities in the country.”
Opened in 2023, JŪN quickly gained recognition for its globally inspired cuisine, community-centered approach, and bold point of view. Garcia and Lu have been widely praised for championing Houston’s creative food community and helping elevate the city’s place on the national culinary stage.
The 2026 James Beard Awards also brought additional recognition to Houston, with Adrian Torres of Maximo winning the national Emerging Chef award and Southern Smoke Foundation receiving an Impact Award for its work supporting food and beverage workers.
Garcia and Lu’s Best Chef: Texas award adds to Houston’s growing list of James Beard honors and reinforces the city’s reputation as a destination for culinary excellence, entrepreneurship, and cultural storytelling.