Augusta Chef Named 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalist
Chef Todd Schafer of Abel Brown Southern Kitchen & Oyster Bar has been named a 2026 James Beard Award® Semifinalist for Best Chef (Southeast), one of the most prestigious honors in American food.
Presented by Capital One, the James Beard Awards are widely considered the pinnacle of culinary recognition in the United States. Since their founding in 1990, the awards have spotlighted the chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality leaders shaping how we eat.
This year’s semifinalists represent the breadth of American culinary excellence, and Chef Schafer’s inclusion gives Augusta a seat at the national table.
A Team Win for Abel Brown… and Augusta
In a statement shared by Abel Brown, the restaurant expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, as well as its staff, guests, purveyors, farmers, collaborators, and friends:
We are deeply grateful to the James Beard Foundation for this recognition and for shining a light on the people who make this industry so special. To be listed among peers and friends across the country who inspire us daily is a profound honor.”
Chef Schafer, chef and owner, emphasized that this moment reflects far more than one individual achievement:
“This moment belongs to our entire team. Their passion, precision, heart, and relentless pursuit of excellence are what make everything we do possible. And to our incredible local community, thank you for supporting us, believing in us, and showing up for us every single day. We are so proud to be backed by such an inspiring, loyal, and vibrant community.”
What Happens Next
Restaurant and Chef Award nominees will be announced on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, with winners revealed at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 15, 2026, held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
No matter the final outcome, this recognition alone marks a huge milestone, not just for Abel Brown, but for Augusta’s growing reputation as a serious food city with talent worthy of national attention.
From thoughtful sourcing to refined Southern technique, Chef Schafer’s work reflects the kind of culinary leadership that continues to put Augusta on the map, one plate at a time.
About Abel Brown Southern Kitchen & Oyster Bar
Located in Augusta’s historic Surrey Center, Abel Brown Southern Kitchen & Oyster Bar has been a cornerstone of the local dining scene since 2014, blending refined Southern cuisine with an ingredient-driven, seasonal approach. Inspired by the folk ballad “Abel Brown,” the restaurant celebrates craftsmanship, community, and Southern hospitality.
Chef + Owner Todd Schafer, a Culinary Institute of America graduate, brings decades of experience from acclaimed kitchens across the country. After opening Bistro 491 in 1999 and helping shape Augusta’s farm-to-table movement, Schafer reimagined the space as Abel Brown, now widely regarded as one of the city’s top dining destinations.
General Manager Anna Claire Rascon joined Abel Brown in 2018, and leads the front-of-house. She is a lifelong Augusta local with a Bachelor in Business Administration.
