Gavin Kaysen has, of course, established a nationally recognized fine-dining empire in Minneapolis. The two-time James Beard Award winner (Rising Star 2008, Best Chef: Midwest 2018) runs Spoon and Stable, Demi, and Mara in the Four Seasons hotel. This year we saw him moving forward with the reinvention of Bellecour in Edina and the North Loop, as well as extend his reach to Florida, where he’s opening The Merchant Room in The Four Seasons Naples. Amid his growth this year, Kaysen remains a fierce industry leader: For 2026, expect a major growth phase for his KZ Consulting business (with Andrew Zimmern), which provides meals for athletes in the stadium environment.