Houston Chef Named to Best New Chefs List
Food & Wine selected executive chef Lucas McKinney for the prestigious 2026 industry honor.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Houston's Lucas McKinney, the executive chef at Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition, has been named to the 2026 Best New Chefs list by Food & Wine. The announcement recognized his contributions to the culinary scene alongside 13 other chefs across the United States.
Why it matters
Food & Wine highlights emerging culinary talent they believe will shape the future of the restaurant industry. The selection process involved a year of intensive scouting by the publication to identify rising stars.
The 2026 list features 14 chefs representing 10 restaurants nationwide. Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition has been operating for three years in Houston.
The players
Lucas McKinney
He is a 32-year-old executive chef based in Houston who previously studied chemistry at Ole Miss.
Food & Wine
This publication is a leading authority on culinary trends and annually curates the prestigious Best New Chefs list.
Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition
This is an established Houston restaurant that has been operating for three years under McKinney's direction.
The details
At 32 years old, McKinney brings a background in chemistry from Ole Miss to his culinary work at his Houston-based restaurant. The winners were honored during an announcement ceremony at ZZ's Club in Manhattan attended by 80 award alumni.
Timeline
The Best New Chefs award was first established in 1988.
McKinney became engaged in Central Park on September 13, 2026.
The 2026 winners were publicly announced on September 15, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This award continues the legacy of the Food & Wine Best New Chefs 1988 inaugural class by maintaining the annual tradition of industry recognition. By highlighting regional chefs, the list serves as a key indicator of emerging culinary trends shifting away from traditional coastal hubs.
Residents and visitors can now expect increased demand for reservations at Josephine's Gulf Coast Tradition following this national recognition. The accolade typically elevates the visibility of a restaurant, often leading to longer waitlists for diners hoping to experience the award-winning menu.
The takeaway
This recognition underscores the importance of regional expertise in modern professional cooking. Emerging chefs looking for success should focus on building a consistent identity within their local market over several years.
Further reading
For more on the city's growing culinary scene, visit the Houston Food and Drink section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Biloxi Sun Herald.
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