In the United States it is considered the Oscar of Food World. Here is who gained, in the different categories, the prestigious James Beard Award, conferred by taking into account not only gastronomic merits, but also human relations, sustainability and community integration.
The event and the awardees
The James Beard Awards presentation ceremony by the foundation of the same name was held Monday, June 10, in the evening in Chicago. It was a grand celebration, with professionals from the most diverse traditions and areas of the country parading on stage.
The organization rejoiced at the sell-out, after a few years of difficulties. In 2020, the award had even been canceled at the last moment, due to accusations about the choice of poorly diverse characters, sometimes accused of abuse. So much so that today the award considers not only strictly gastronomic merit, but also staff management, virtuous relationship with the community, commitment to equality and against climate change.
Rising among the chefs was Michael Rafidi of the Arab-rooted restaurant Albi in Washington, who dedicated the award to Palestine and all Palestinian people, whether residing in the United States, at home or around the world.
Among restaurants, meanwhile, the Thailandese Langbaan in Portland, which offers tasting menus to an audience of 24 covers, prevailed. While among the newcomers, Dakar Nola in New Orleans stood out with its Senegalese haute-cuisine route.
Restaurateurs of the Year are Erika and Kelly Whitaker, who head a chain in the Denver area, while best service is by Lula Cafe in Chicago.
The well-deserved Lifetime Achievement Award, on the other hand, went to food writer Ruth Reichl, a critic for The New York Times, who commented, "It's amazing the magnitude of the changes that have occurred in the world of food during my lifetime. People are finally realizing that eating is an ethical act and that our choices at the table really matter."
James Beard Awards: all the awards
Outstanding Chef
Michael Rafidi, Albi, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Restaurant
Langbaan, Portland, Ore.
Outstanding Restaurateur
Erika Whitaker and Kelly Whitaker, Id Est (the Wolf’s Tailor, Brutø, Basta, Hey Kiddo e altri), Denver
Best New Restaurant
Dakar NOLA, New Orleans
Emerging Chef
Masako Morishita, Perry’s, Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Bakery
ZU Bakery, Portland, Maine
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
Atsuko Fujimoto, Norimoto Bakery, Portland, Maine
Outstanding Hospitality
Lula Cafe, Chicago
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Lula Drake Wine Parlour, Columbia, S.C.
Outstanding Bar
Jewel of the South, New Orleans
Regional Awards
Best Chef: New York State
Charlie Mitchell, Clover Hill, Brooklyn
Best Chef: California
Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord, Los Angeles
Best Chef: Great Lakes (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio)
Hajime Sato, Sozai, Clawson, Mich.
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (Washington, D.C., Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia)
Harley Peet, Bas Rouge, Easton, Md.
Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington)
Gregory Gourdet, Kann, Portland, Ore.
Best Chef: Midwest (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin)
Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis
Best Chef: Mountain (Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah, Wyoming)
Matt Vawter, Rootstalk, Breckenridge, Colo.
Best Chef: Northeast (Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont)
David Standridge, the Shipwright’s Daughter, Mystic, Conn.
Best Chef: Southeast (Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia.)
Paul Smith, 1010 Bridge, Charleston, W.V.
Best Chef: South (Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico)
Valerie Chang, Maty’s, Miami, Fla.
Best Chef: Southwest (Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada, Oklahoma)
Rene Andrade, Bacanora, Phoenix
Best Chef: Texas
Ana Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria, Mission, Texas
Humanitarian of the Year
The LEE Initiative
Lifetime Achievement Award
Ruth Reichl
