The 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards take place today — Monday, June 15 — in Chicago.
Hawai‘i's Neale Asato, owner of Asato Family Shop, is up for recognition in the outstanding pastry chef or baker category.
The nominees, who were announced at the end of March, "embody exceptional talent and leadership within the independent restaurant industry," the James Beard Foundation noted.
Although several Hawai‘i restauranteurs and chefs were named as semifinalists for the awards earlier this year, Asato was the only one from the Islands to advance.
Aloha State Daily spoke with Asato in April about his nomination. You can read that story here.
He told ASD at that time that it's an honor to be recognized by the James Beard Foundation, but was quick to add that his family helped build the whole business.
"I think it's great for Hawai‘i to be recognized for what we're trying to do," Asato said in April.
Asato Family Shop, known for its sherbet made in “local kine” flavors, opened a new spot in Waikīkī late last year. Read more about that here. ASD's food and dining reporter Kelli Shiroma Braiotta also shares more about some of the company's more unique flavors here.
You can livestream today's awards ceremony here starting at 6:30 p.m. eastern, 12:30 p.m. local time.
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Stephanie Salmons can be reached at stephanie@alohastatedaily.com.
