Introduction to the James Beard Awards
The James Beard Awards, a prestigious event in the culinary world, took place at Chicago’s Lyric Opera House, celebrating its 35th year. The ceremony brought together chefs and restaurateurs from across the country, with five Chicago restaurants being finalists. West Loop dining bar Kumiko and chef Noah Sandoval of fine dining restaurant Oriole took home James Beard Awards, with Kumiko winning the prize for Outstanding Bar and Sandoval receiving the award for Best Chef Great Lakes.
Winners and Finalists
Kumiko owner, bartender, and creative director Julia Momosé, who was born and raised in Japan and moved to the U.S. for college, took the podium to accept the award. She spoke passionately about how immigrants fuel the food industry, stating that Kumiko is a "team of immigrants." The list of finalists included Galit, the Lincoln Park Middle Eastern restaurant, which was up for one of the Beards’ top honors: Outstanding Restaurant. The award ultimately went to Frasca Food and Wine in Boulder, Colorado.
Galit co-owner Andrés Clavero said it was "absolutely bonkers" to be Chicago’s only finalist in that category. In addition to Oriole, West Loop’s Asian-inspired Maxwells Trading and Pilsen Vietnamese eatery HaiSous were among this year’s finalists in the Best Chef Great Lakes category, which recognizes the best in the region.
The Ceremony and Its Significance
The James Beard Awards ceremony, which began in 1991, moved to Chicago from New York in 2015. Kristen Reynolds, the new president and CEO of Choose Chicago, stated that hosting the James Beard Awards is "truly iconic" and that Chicago is the perfect place for the event. Mayor Brandon Johnson echoed this sentiment, saying that keeping the awards in Chicago beyond 2027 is a priority for his administration.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and his wife, Stacie, walked the red carpet at the James Beard Awards at the Lyric Opera House. Johnson said keeping the awards in Chicago beyond 2027 is a priority for his administration.
Other Winners and Attendees
Other major awards went to Phila Lorn of Cambodian noodle house Mawn in Philadelphia for Emerging Chef; Bûcheron in Minneapolis for Best New Restaurant; and Lee Hanson and Riad Nasr of Frenchette, Le Veau d’ Or and Le Rock in New York for Outstanding Restaurateurs. Chicago restaurant veteran Rick Bayless walked the red carpet with his wife, Deann, and said the Beard Awards allow him to meet young chefs, whom he says are now defining the future of cuisine.
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