We’re honored to share that The Local Palate recently included Bill Briand and Little Bird in “The Ultimate Alabama Dining Guide 2026.” Written by Jennifer Stewart Kornegay and published on June 18, 2026, the feature spotlights standout chefs, restaurants, and dining destinations across the state.
In the guide, The Local Palate names Bill Briand of Little Bird in Fairhope as Best Chef, noting his thoughtful approach to Gulf Coast ingredients and his five James Beard Best Chef: South semifinalist nominations. The article highlights dishes at Little Bird like red snapper crudo with local citrus and “Mom’s sweet cornbread,” framing his work as a major part of Alabama’s dining scene right now.
The feature also includes Bill Briand’s personal Alabama recommendations, and for lunch he points readers to The Barn at Hope Farm. In the article, he calls the short-rib French dip sandwich his favorite thing on the planet at the moment, while joking that its richness makes it the kind of lunch that might require a nap afterward.
We’re proud to see Little Bird included in a statewide dining guide that celebrates the chefs, dishes, and destinations shaping Alabama’s food culture. Being recognized alongside so many standout restaurants across the state is a meaningful reflection of the hospitality, flavor, and sense of place we work to create every day.