San Diego's Two 2026 James Beard Award Nominees Plan Special Dinners

Tara Monsod and Eric Bost, semifinalists for Best Chef: California, are collaborating with other chefs for Lunar New Year and tasting menu events.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 4:55pm

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Tara Monsod, a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist, and Eric Bost, a first-time semifinalist, have announced upcoming collaboration dinner events. Monsod is working with fellow San Diego chef David Sim on Lunar New Year menus, while Bost is hosting an acclaimed Danish chef, Nick Curtin, for a nine-course tasting menu at his Michelin-starred Lilo restaurant.

Why it matters

The collaborations highlight the growing culinary talent and recognition in the San Diego region, with two local chefs being named James Beard Award semifinalists. The special dinners also provide opportunities for the chefs to showcase their skills and creativity by blending cuisines and techniques.

The details

Monsod, the executive chef of Animae and Le Coq, is partnering with Kingfisher Cocktail Bar & Eatery's David Sim on Lunar New Year menus featuring dishes like Hokkaido scallop crudo and roasted squab. Bost, who oversees the Michelin-starred Lilo and Jeune et Jolie, is hosting Danish chef Nick Curtin for a nine-course tasting menu that will combine the flavors of Copenhagen and Southern California.

  • The Lunar New Year menus at Animae and Kingfisher will run from February 17-21 and February 23-28, respectively.
  • The collaborative tasting menu at Lilo with chef Nick Curtin will take place on March 3.

The players

Tara Monsod

The executive chef of Animae in downtown San Diego and Le Coq in La Jolla, who is a three-time James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: California.

Eric Bost

The chef who oversees the Michelin-starred restaurants Lilo and Jeune et Jolie in Carlsbad, and is a first-time James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: California.

David Sim

The executive chef at Kingfisher Cocktail Bar & Eatery in Golden Hill, who is collaborating with Tara Monsod on Lunar New Year menus.

Nick Curtin

The chef of the Michelin-starred Alouette restaurant in Copenhagen, Denmark, who is collaborating with Eric Bost on a tasting menu at Lilo.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

Reservations for the Lunar New Year menus at Animae and Kingfisher, as well as the tasting menu collaboration at Lilo, will open in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

The collaborations between these acclaimed San Diego chefs and their peers from near and far showcase the growing culinary talent and recognition in the region, as well as the chefs' creativity in blending diverse cuisines and techniques.