Columbus continues to prove itself as a culinary city. On the heels of being named one of the best food cities in the country by Condé Nast Traveler's 2025 Readers' Choice Awards and one of Food & Wine’s Next Great American Food Cities, Ohio's capital city is now home to a 2026 James Beard Award semifinalist. For the second year in a row, Dan the Baker is a semifinalist for Outstanding Bakery.  
 
Last year, Columbus had three semifinalists. For the past three years Experience Columbus has led a citywide campaign to get Columbus chefs and restaurants recognized by the prestigious awards program.