A North Loop Gem Gets National Recognition
Out of 10 Minnesota restaurants and chefs named as James Beard semifinalists in January 2026, only one made the cut to the finalist round: Shigeyuki Furukawa of Kado no Mise in Minneapolis' North Loop. This is his second consecutive year advancing as a Best Chef: Midwest finalist — and the significance of that accomplishment is hard to overstate.
Furukawa opened Kado no Mise in 2017 after spending years studying kaiseki-style cooking in Tokyo. The second-floor restaurant offers a prix-fixe omakase menu driven entirely by the chef's vision, with the majority of ingredients sourced directly from Japan. It's an experience that has built a devoted local following while quietly earning national credibility.
Why This Nomination Matters Right Now
2026 has been a tough year for Twin Cities restaurants. The wave of ICE enforcement actions earlier this winter hit the hospitality industry particularly hard, and many local establishments are still in recovery mode.
A James Beard finalist nod — an award widely referred to as the Oscars of the food world — sends a clear signal to the national culinary community that Minnesota's restaurant scene is resilient, talented, and worth paying attention to.
For small independent restaurants operating in this environment, recognition on this scale can be genuinely transformative, filling dining rooms for months and elevating the entire local scene by association.
Minnesota's James Beard Moment
Minnesota has been on a remarkable run.
- Owamni won Best New Restaurant in 2022.
- In 2025, Karyn Tomlinson of Myriel became the first St. Paul chef to win Best Chef: Midwest.
- Bûcheron took home Best New Restaurant honors.
Past local James Beard winners include Gavin Kaysen, Ann Kim, Christina Nguyen, and others who helped build the Twin Cities' national culinary reputation over the past two decades.
Furukawa now stands in rare company — a two-time finalist whose North Loop restaurant has become a league of its own in this market.
What Happens Next
The 2026 James Beard Awards ceremony takes place June 15 in Chicago.
For Twin Cities residents, Kado no Mise reservations have always been in demand — expect that to intensify.
Thinking about buying or selling in the Twin Cities? Let's talk.
Text Darin Bjerknes at 612-702-5126 or DM on Instagram @darintheminnesotan.
