The James Beard Awards, often regarded as the restaurant industry’s premier honors, were presented Monday night in Chicago, recognizing culinary excellence alongside themes of immigration and political resistance. Since their inception in 1991, the awards have grown into a significant event for chefs, restaurateurs, and food professionals across the United States.
Philadelphia’s Kalaya earned the prestigious Outstanding Restaurant award, while Michael Tusk, chef and co-owner of San Francisco’s Quince and Cotogna, was named Outstanding Chef. Dana Street of the Portland, Maine-based group that operates Fore Street, Scales, and Standard Baking Company received the Outstanding Restaurateur accolade. The Best New Restaurant distinction went to Lei, located in Manhattan’s Chinatown.
The ceremony also featured remarks from Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, who is seeking a third term. Pritzker praised the diverse immigrant communities in his state and referenced his Ukrainian heritage, drawing applause when he criticized the current U.S. administration’s treatment of immigrant groups. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed this sentiment, pledging that the city would resist authoritarianism.
Adrian Torres of Maximo in Houston was named Best Emerging Chef for his innovative Mexican American cuisine. Torres, a DACA recipient, emphasized his immigrant background during his acceptance speech, delivering his remarks partly in Spanish.
At the James Beard Foundation Media Awards held the previous Saturday, several prominent honors were also handed out. Hailee Catalano received the Best General Cookbook award for her debut title “By Heart.” Helen Goh was recognized for Best Baking Book with “Baking & the Meaning of Life,” while the documentary “Raoul’s: A New York Story,” chronicling the SoHo restaurant’s history, was named Best Documentary.
Despite past controversies—including a 2005 board president embezzlement conviction, the cancellation of the 2020 awards amid diversity concerns, and a 2023 ethics review—the James Beard Foundation maintains its influence in the industry. The organization recently launched a partnership with American Express and Resy, a reservation platform, and introduced a new honor symbol: a medallion featuring James Beard’s likeness for display at winning restaurants.
Among regional winners, Taylor Montgomery of Montgomery Sky Farm in North Carolina, Best Chef Southeast, highlighted the importance of food system reform and brought farm staff onstage to accept the award with him. Nancy Silverton, the first-ever winner of the Best Pastry Chef award in 1991, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
The event also recognized nonprofit and social justice efforts within the food community. Musician Jon Bon Jovi and his wife Dorothea received a James Beard Impact Award for their JBJ Soul Kitchen, a nonprofit restaurant focusing on job training and sustainability, with locations in New Jersey. Other honorees included the Southern Smoke Foundation, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, New Mexico Senator Ben Ray Luján, and ReFed, a food-waste reduction nonprofit.
Additional national category winners included Providence, Los Angeles for Outstanding Hospitality; Wild Crumb in Bozeman, Montana for Outstanding Bakery; and Susan Bae of Moon Rabbit in Washington, D.C. for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. The awards also debuted new categories recognizing excellence in beverage and cocktail service.
The James Beard Awards continue to spotlight culinary achievement across the country while engagement with broader social and political issues remains a notable aspect of the ceremony.