Greenville Chef Named Finalist for 2026 James Beard Award

Joe Cash of Scoundrel restaurant recognized as one of the best chefs in the Southeast

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:35pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a chef's knife repeated in a grid, rendered in a bold, pop art style with vibrant neon colors and heavy black outlines.The James Beard Award nomination for Greenville chef Joe Cash celebrates the city's growing culinary reputation.Greenville Today

Joe Cash, the owner and head chef at Scoundrel restaurant in Greenville, South Carolina, has been named a finalist for the 2026 James Beard Award in the Best Chef: Southeast category. Cash is one of five chefs competing for the prestigious culinary honor, which will be awarded in June.

Why it matters

The James Beard Awards are considered the 'Oscars of the food world,' recognizing the top culinary talents across America. Being named a finalist is a major achievement that can significantly raise the profile of a chef and their restaurant, potentially drawing more customers and national attention.

The details

Cash, a graduate of Greenville Technical College, was announced as a finalist on March 31 by the James Beard Foundation. He will compete against chefs from Georgia, North Carolina, West Virginia, and Kentucky for the Best Chef: Southeast award. In November 2025, Cash's restaurant Scoundrel received a coveted one Michelin star, designating it as one of the best restaurants in the South.

  • In January 2026, the James Beard Foundation announced its semifinalists.
  • On March 31, 2026, the finalists were announced via the foundation's Instagram account.
  • The winners will be celebrated during an awards ceremony on June 15, 2026 in Chicago.

The players

Joe Cash

The owner and head chef at Scoundrel restaurant in Greenville, South Carolina, and a 2026 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef: Southeast.

Scoundrel

A French-American restaurant in downtown Greenville, South Carolina, owned and operated by Joe Cash, that received a Michelin star in 2025.

James Beard Foundation

The organization that presents the annual James Beard Awards, considered the 'Oscars of the food world' and recognizing the top culinary talents across America.

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What they’re saying

“I'm just in shock”

— Joe Cash, Owner and Head Chef, Scoundrel

What’s next

The winners of each category will be celebrated during an awards ceremony on June 15 at Lyric Opera in Chicago.

The takeaway

Joe Cash's recognition as a James Beard Award finalist for his work at Scoundrel restaurant highlights Greenville's growing reputation as a culinary destination, with talented chefs like Cash helping to put the city on the map for food lovers across the country.