Fernando González Named a 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalist
On January 21, 2026, the James Beard Foundation named Fernando González, pitmaster and co-founder of 2fifty Texas BBQ, a semifinalist for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.
Fernando built 2fifty with Debby Portillo, starting from a tent in Riverdale Park. Today the smokehouse runs on wood alone, with Central Texas technique and Salvadoran roots on every tray. A James Beard nod for a pitmaster is rare, and we share it with the whole team that keeps the fires going.
It is Fernando's second year in a row on the list: he was also a 2025 semifinalist for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.
More from the James Beard Foundation
Fernando also took part in the James Beard Chef Bootcamp for Policy and Change, and 2fifty joined the James Beard Foundation Good Food Finder.
Coverage
- James Beard Foundation: The 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists
- Washingtonian: Here Are the DC-Area James Beard Award Semifinalists for 2026
- WUSA9: 2026 James Beard semifinalists announced, many from our area
- Patch: 5 MD Restaurants, Chefs Named 2026 James Beard Semifinalists
- HERE Baltimore: Maryland Chefs Shine as Semifinalists in James Beard Awards
- El Tiempo Latino: Los mejores chefs y restaurantes del DMV compiten en los James Beard
- The Washington Lobbyist: DC Area, The 2026 James Beard Award Semifinalist List
- James Beard Foundation: The 2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists
