Chef Hunter Evans Named James Beard Semifinalist for Fourth Consecutive Year

Chef Hunter Evans of Elvie's and The Mayflower has been named a semifinalist for the prestigious James Beard Award for Best Chef: South for the fourth consecutive year, cementing Jackson's position on the national culinary stage.

The James Beard Awards presented by Capital One represent the pinnacle of culinary recognition in the United States. Since their inception in 1990, the Restaurant and Chef Awards have honored the nation's top restaurant and bar professionals. This year's semifinalists join a distinguished group of James Beard Award-recognized leaders who collectively embody the breadth of American culinary excellence.

"Chef Hunter Evans continues to elevate Jackson's culinary scene with his innovative approach and dedication to Southern ingredients and traditions," said Dr. Rickey Thigpen, President & CEO of Visit Jackson, the official destination marketing organization for the City of Jackson. "This fourth consecutive recognition from the James Beard Foundation demonstrates that Jackson's dining scene deserves national attention and confirms what our local community has known for years."

Evans operates two acclaimed Jackson restaurants: Elvie's, his intimate fine-dining establishment known for its ever-evolving seasonal menu, and The Mayflower, a reimagining of the historic Jackson institution where he presents elevated Southern classics. Both restaurants have garnered national recognition, with Elvie's earning a spot in the MICHELIN Guide in November 2024.

The James Beard Foundation will announce the final nominees on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, narrowing the field of semifinalists across all categories. Winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on Monday, June 15, 2026, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Evans' continued recognition places him among an elite group of chefs who have earned multiple James Beard Award nominations, highlighting the caliber of talent working in Mississippi's capital city. The Best Chef: South category encompasses Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Puerto Rico.