Los Angeles Won Big at the 2026 James Beard Awards

Kato won the award for Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program; this is the second year in a row the restaurant has been recognized by the James Beard Foundation — chef Jon Yao took home Best Chef: California in 2025. Ryan Bailey (co-owner and operations and wine director) runs Kato’s beverage program alongside bar director Austin Hennelly. In his speech, Bailey spoke of Kato’s beginnings in a tight West Los Angeles dining room a decade ago before moving to its current home at Row DTLA. He thanked Los Angeles for its continued support of the restaurant. Today, Bailey and Hennelly offer a menu to complement Yao’s Taiwanese-influenced cooking including cocktails, an impressive wine cellar, and non-alcoholic pairings.