Bottega named James Beard Award finalist for outstanding hospitality

Bottega has moved on to the next stage of the 2026 James Beard Awards, rising above other nationally-renowned restaurants for its exceptional hospitality.

This is the second year that the restaurant, known in part for its gorgeous 1925 Beaux-Arts building and elegant decor details, has been named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Hospitality category. The hospitality category specifically recognizes a restaurant’s ability to serve “as a beacon for the community” and demonstrate “consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality and operations.”

The James Beard Awards were established in 1990 by the James Beard Foundation to “recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and furthers the foundation’s mission to celebrate, nurture and honor chefs and other leaders making America’s food culture more delicious, diverse and sustainable for everyone.”

Hospitality is central to Bottega’s atmosphere

Pardis Stitt co-owns and operates Bottega alongside her husband, award-winning chef Frank Stitt. Overseeing front-of-house operations, she has spent decades refining the restaurant’s atmosphere and reputation through a meticulous focus on the guest experience.

Earlier this year, Pardis told Bham Now that the relationships built between staff and guests are central to Bottega’s operations. Some long-term staff have been at Bottega since the beginning, 35 years ago. She takes pride in seeing generations of families come back again and again.

“We have restaurant professionals, and for so many, this is their career, and we take it seriously. They take it seriously.”

Pardis Stitt, co-owner + operator at Bottega

The winners of this year’s James Beard Awards will be announced Monday, June 15 at a ceremony in Chicago.

Birmingham’s James Beard legacy

Although Bottega was the only one named a finalist this year, Birmingham’s restaurants got high praise from the James Beard Foundation this year. Birmingham’s five semifinalists for 2026 were:

• Outstanding Chef: Rob McDaniel, Bayonet
• Best Chef (South): Kristen Hall, La Fête
• Best Chef (South): Geri-Martha O’Hara and Ryan O’Hara, Pizza Grace
• Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: Eric Bennett, Continental Drift
• Outstanding Hospitality: Bottega

In addition to the Birmingham establishments, Jim Smith from The Hummingbird Way in Mobile was nominated for Best Chef South.

The Magic City and its surrounding areas have produced several James Beard Award winners over the years, which include:

• Best Chef (South) (2022): Automatic Seafood and Oysters, Chef Adam Evans
• Outstanding Restaurant (2018): Highlands Bar & Grill
• Outstanding Pastry Chef (2018): Highlands Bar & Grill, Chef Dolester Miles
• Best Chef (South) (2012): Hot and Hot Fish Club, Chef Chris Hastings
• American Classic (2010): Bright Star
• Best Chef (Southeast) (2001): Highlands Bar & Grill Chef Frank Stitt

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