Two very different West Virginia kitchens just grabbed national attention at this year’s James Beard Restaurant & Chef ceremonies in Chicago. Figaretti’s Italian Restaurant in Wheeling was named one of the James Beard Foundation’s 2026 America’s Classics winners, and Mary Ellen Diaz of Shepherdstown’s Alma Bea was announced as a Best Chef: Southeast finalist. Together, they put both a multigenerational red-sauce institution and a modern Appalachian-focused bistro in the national spotlight this summer.
Figaretti’s Takes An America’s Classics Nod
According to the James Beard Foundation, Figaretti’s was selected as one of the 2026 America’s Classics winners, a category that honors long-running, community-rooted restaurants. The Foundation’s profile traces Figaretti’s back to a sauce recipe created by Sicilian immigrant Anna Figaretti and notes that the restaurant has stayed in the family since it opened in 1948.
Owner Reaction
Owner Dino Figaretti told The Intelligencer the honor felt surreal and credited decades of family work, saying the award “made it all worth it.” The outlet also highlighted Figaretti’s community involvement, from sponsorships to donations after last year’s floods, which staff and neighbors said reinforced the restaurant’s status as an Ohio Valley anchor.
Shepherdstown Chef Among Regional Finalists
On the other side of the state, Mary Ellen Diaz, chef-owner of Alma Bea in Shepherdstown, was named a finalist in the James Beard Foundation’s Best Chef: Southeast category, a regional list that covers Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and West Virginia. The Foundation’s nominees place Diaz among a select group recognized for work that emphasizes Appalachian ingredients and small-scale sourcing, and winners were celebrated during the Foundation’s June ceremonies. See the full nominees list on the James Beard Foundation.
Local Honors And Style Moments
Local reporting also noted a related honor for Diaz. The Herald-Dispatch reported she received a Root to Table culinary torch bearer award along with a one-year seed partnership tied to that program. In its interview, Diaz said she was “thrilled to be wearing a piece, neurobloom, by emerging West Virginia designer Zunaira Malik” and that the ensemble “symbolizes the beauty of minds blooming in their own unique way.”
Why It Matters For West Virginia
Figaretti’s America’s Classics win joins a roster of more than 100 restaurants that have been honored in the category since its start, a milestone that industry press notes can translate into fresh visitors and wider attention. Restaurant Business covered the 2026 class of winners, while local outlets point out that West Virginia’s visibility at the awards has been building. Chef Paul Smith of Charleston took a Beard prize in 2024, underscoring the state’s rising profile; see coverage from West Virginia Public Broadcasting for more context.
Both restaurants say they expect the spotlight to bring new visitors and opportunities, and Figaretti’s owner has noted upcoming media appearances in local coverage. As summer rolls on, the real test will be how that Beard buzz shows up in reservations and regional tourism.
