Emotional speeches, long-awaited reunions, and calls for inclusion were hallmarks of the star-studded weekend in Chicago.
After a two - year respite , theJames Beard Awardsreturned to Chicago this weekend . leader of the culinary public — from food journalists and sustainability activists to chefs and restaurateurs — foregather together to admit the shiny silver medal that stand for one of the nation ’s most prestigious honor .
In 2020 and 2021 , the James Beard Foundation decided to forego its traditional awarding format for take some time to mean about how to ordain more equitable procedure , such as removing systemic bias and increasing the diversity of the pool of candidate . This year ’s awards observance was the first since the audited account , and it mull over some reform-minded change , like the expanding upon of an Emerging Voice category across all awards programs .
“ The way alone showed that the organization is making footmark in the right direction — the diverse bunch , the nominees , ” sound out Tiffany Derry ofRoots Southern Table , host of the Media Awards , and campaigner for Best Chef and Best New Restaurant . “ Oftentimes , there are awards where sure hoi polloi seem to always be the minority . And for this juncture , it felt slap-up to see so many style of book , cuisines , and personalities at that . ”
Mashama Bailey wins the award for Outstanding Chef at the 2022 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards.|Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for James Beard Foundation
Despite the cacophony of tornado warning alarm that went off at the Restaurant and Chef Awards , the event rightfully embodied the weekend ’s motif of “ Gather for Good . ” Cheers were shouted . tear were shed . It became clear that everyone was delighted to be under the same ceiling again .
James Beard Media Award Winners
The Media Awards Ceremony , which is historically carry in New York City , took place for the first prison term in Chicago , on the campus of Columbia College . Lisa Ling , award - winning diarist andhost ofTake Outon HBO Max , announce the winners at the live ceremony on Saturday , June 11 .
The Book category saw some exciting wins . It was a swelled nighttime for Kristina Cho , source ofMooncakes and Milk Bread , who took home the award for Baking and Desserts as well as the award for Emerging Voice . For Beverage with Recipes , Julia Momosé of Kumikowas respect forThe Way of the Cocktail , the one - stop guide to Nipponese cocktail culture . Gregory Gourdet’sEveryone ’s Tablewon the General category , whileJoanne Molinario’sThe Korean Veganwon for Vegetable - Focused Cooking .
“ The most rewarding vista was compose report about people who I did not see contemplate in traditional media , ” say writer Hawa Hassan , who we catch up with at the post - awards reception . Her cookbook , In Bibi’sKitchen , won the International award . “ I did it so selfishly for myself and the people that look like me , so I ’m really thankful , but this is just a fillip . ” Hassan is currently work on her next book , which is base on civil war and food .
Tiffany Derry, James Beard Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach, Padma Lakshmi, Kwame Onwuachi, and TV personality Monti Carlo.|Photo by Clay Williams for James Beard Foundation
There was also a category for Social Media Account , within the Broadcast and Media portion . Foraging extraordinaire Alexis Nikole Nelsonclaimed the laurel wreath , hilariously stop her acceptance speech with “ glad snacking . Do n’t die . ”
“ When someone differentiate me that they themselves , or a girl , a boy — who maybe otherwise would not have felt formalise in their love of the outdoors — now feel corroborate , and I get to encounter a part in that ? I could fly home on that flavour , ” Nelson says , sum up that she also has a cookbook in the deeds , which will focalize on foraging through the seasons .
As for Visual Media , Padma Lakshmi’sTaste the Nationwon the Long Form category . In an emotional speech , Lakshmi said , “ I always loved food , but I come to this career later than most . And I always felt like the first two seasons ofTop Chef … citizenry were like , ‘ Why are you here?’ … I had a muckle of imposter syndrome , sit next to Eric Ripert and Daniel Boulud … I knew I knew about food for thought , but I did n’t know how to harness everything I knew until I became a writer . ”
Alexis Nikole Nelson celebrating her win for Best Social Media Account with KJ Kearney of BlackFoodFridays.|Photo by Clay Williams for James Beard Foundation
A few famed journalist who direct domicile awards for their excellence in reporting includeSoleil Hoof theSan Francisco Chronicle , José R. RalatofTexas Monthly , Francis Lamof Condé Nast Traveler , andTammie TeclemariamofNew York Magazine .
James Beard Leadership Award Winners
The Leadership Awards , host byactivist and writer Bryant Terry , took the mannikin of a luncheon at the Dalcy in Chicago ’s Fulton Market District on Sunday , June 12 . This ceremonial occasion seeks to celebrate the visionary creditworthy for create a healthier , safer , more equitable , and sustainable intellectual nourishment system .
There were five winners : Erika Allen , co - founder and CEO of operation atUrban Growers Collective;Irene Li , atomic number 27 - founder ofMei Mei DumplingsandPrepshift ; Mónica Ramírez , father and chairwoman ofJustice for Migrant Women ; Mavis - Jay Sanders , theatre director of Culinary Development and Education atDrive Change ; and , in the Emerging Leadership category , the worker - cooperativeUnderstoryin Oakland , CA .
Jenabi Pareja , James Cook and prole leader at Understory , tells us the actor - own eating place - bar is “ re - imagining what non - traditional restaurants can really be , and what it truly means to take care of your hoi polloi . ” Diana Wu , Oakland Bloom congressman , adds “ I hope that this win will help oneself us gain the visibility and recognition to move things to the next degree . ”
Martin Yan gives a speech after accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award.|Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for James Beard Foundation
James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Winners
And then it come fourth dimension for the dinner jacket - style main event . On Monday , June 13 , chefs and restaurateurs walked the red carpet at the Lyric Opera of Chicago , joining together for the Restaurant and Chef Awards hosted by chef , writer , and executive producer atFood & WineKwame Onwuachi .
After some references to the Chris Rock slap and prank about Zoom calls , Onwuachi began by announcing the winner of the Emerging Chef laurels : Edgar Rico ofNixta in Austin . Detroit’sWarda Bouguettayatook home the laurel wreath for Outstanding Pastry Chef , whileJulep(a ThrillistShift Change honoree ) find Houston ’s first - ever James Beard award in a interior category — Outstanding Bar Program .
The Regional awards were next . After winning an award for his cookery book , Mister Jiu ’s in Chinatown , on Saturday , Brandon Jewof Mister Jiu ’s in San Francisco took home the honour for Best Chef : California . After his win , Jew tells us , “ There ’s now another political program that get along with responsibleness . And for me , it ’s lean in to advocate for Chinatown , carrying Grace [ Young ] and Martin ’s [ Yan ] work . ”
Roni Mazumdar and Chintan Pandya of Dhamaka walk up to accept Best Chef: New York State.|Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for James Beard Foundation
On the other coast , Chintan Pandya ofDhamakain New York City live with his award , Best Chef : New York State , with not bad vigour , deal selfies on level . According to Pandya , this winnings “ should give people the confidence to be unapologetic about their cuisine . ”
Other regional awards let in : Erick Williams of Chicago’sVirtue Restaurant & Bar ; Dane Baldwin of Milwaukee’sThe Diplomat ; Robynne Maii of Honolulu’sFête ; Adam Evans of Birmingham’sAutomatic Seafood and Oysters , Iliana de la Vega of Austin’sEl Naranjo ; and Cristina Martinez of Philadelphia’sSouth Philly Barbacoa .
When asked about the most rewarding aspect of her vocation as a chef thus far , Martinez answers through displacement , “ make opportunities in the kitchen for people from Latin America that did n’t have the same opportunity I did . ”
Cristina Martinez of Philadelphia’s South Philly Barbacoa wins Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic at the James Beard Awards.|Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for James Beard Foundation
After honoringGrace Youngas Humanitarian of the Year and Martin Yan for a Lifetime Achievement Award , the night culminate with the labored hitters . Minneapolis’sOwamnitook home Best New Restaurant .
“ We prioritise buy from Indigenous producers first , ” says Owamni chef / owner Sean Sherman , who also foundedThe Sioux Chef . “ We take away all colonial ingredient , so there ’s no dairy , no flour , no sugar . We ’re showcasing regional , modern autochthonal foods . ”
Mashama Bailey , executive chef atThe Greyin Savannah , was awarded Outstanding Chef . Bailey ascribe this win to her faculty , who continue to conceive in her vision “ even when it ’s kooky . ” “ No one knew it was going to work out . I had to fight just to make trusted that I was on the plate , ” she says . “ That ’s the rewarding part — actually trusting and believe in myself , rise my faculty to help me achieve that , and image it come back to me in spade . ”
Sean Sherman and the Owamni team accepting the James Beard Award for Best New Restaurant.|Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for James Beard Foundation
