Jacksonville’s own Chancho King just crashed the national culinary party, with co-chefs Chason Spencer and Maria de la Mota named finalists for the 2026 James Beard Awards on Tuesday. The husband-and-wife team, who run the tiny Ecuadorian spot in Murray Hill, are one of five finalists in the Best Chef: South category, putting Jacksonville in the mix with some of the region’s heavy hitters. It is one of the city’s most high-profile food honors in recent memory.
As reported by the Jacksonville Business Journal, Spencer and de la Mota landed on the final slate announced Tuesday. The outlet traces the couple’s path to this moment and spotlights the Ecuadorian flavors that anchor Chancho King’s tightly edited menu.
From Tent Pop-Up to National Stage
Chancho King started life as a tent pop-up before Spencer and de la Mota committed to a brick-and-mortar in Murray Hill, keeping things intentionally streamlined and rooted in Maria’s Ecuadorian background with dishes built to win over crowds. According to News4JAX, River City Live stopped by earlier this month for a segment on the restaurant’s rise, capturing the local buzz that has surrounded the James Beard attention and helped nudge the team into the national conversation.
What Happens Next
The James Beard Foundation released its finalist list on Tuesday, with restaurant and chef winners set to be revealed at the summer awards ceremony. As reported by Axios, the winners will be announced in Chicago on June 15. For Chancho King, that timeline likely means a rush of reservation requests, more media calls, and fresh curiosity from diners across the South in the weeks leading up to the big night.
Local Pride and Perspective
Per the James Beard Foundation’s listing of 2026 semifinalists, Maria de la Mota and Chason Spencer first appeared on the awards radar in January, when they were named semifinalists. Tuesday’s finalist nod turns that early recognition into a straight shot at a national prize. The James Beard Foundation continues to host the full semifinalist roster and the awards timeline, giving Jacksonville a rare, documented moment right in the middle of the country’s dining spotlight.
