April was electric. Across eight cities, talented chefs put American lamb at the center of their menus, diners showed up in force, and the industry got a front row seat to just how creative and compelling lamb can be in the right hands.

Throughout the month, diners across the country made reservations, gathered their people, and tasted their way through exciting American lamb dishes. They voted for their favorites, engaged with the restaurants, and brought real energy to what made this competition so much fun to be part of. On the judging side, panels in each city carefully worked through the dishes, weighing technique, creativity, and how well each chef made the case for American lamb on the menu. And behind the scenes, the camaraderie among participating chefs and restaurant teams was something that stood out all month long. This was a competition, but it felt like a community.

Congratulations to the 2026 Lamb Jam Market Winners:

Chef Cody Chassar, Gunshow | Atlanta, GA — East Coast Champion 

Chef Edgar Rico, Nixta Taqueria | Austin, TX 

Chef Lambert Givens, Hunter's Kitchen & Bar | Boston, MA 

Chef Bintou N'Daw, Bintü Atelier | Charleston, SC 

Chef Alex Grenier, Mercantile | Denver, CO 

Chef Francis Ang, Abacá | San Francisco, CA — West Coast Champion 

Chef Berk Guldal, Hamdi | Seattle, WA 

Chef Rakesh Singh, Rasika West End | Washington, D.C.

This summer, each winning chef will host an exclusive Lamb Jam dinner at their restaurant featuring American lamb inspired menus, curated pairings, and storytelling moments that connect guests to the ranchers and producers behind the product. In November, East Coast Champion Chef Cody Chassar and West Coast Champion Chef Francis Ang will face off at the Lamb Jam Finale at Platform by James Beard in New York City.

Thinking About 2027?

We are already in the early stages of shaping next year's competition. If your kitchen has been on the sidelines, now is the time to start thinking about getting in the mix. Participation connects your restaurant to a national platform celebrating American lamb and puts your creativity in front of engaged, adventurous diners. Stay tuned for more details at AmericanLamb.com

Don’t forget to visit our Lamb Cooking Time & Temperature page for recipe inspiration and tips on preparing the perfect lamb.