The James Beard Foundation (JBF) is one of the most renowned organizations dedicated to the promotion of the culinary arts in America. Named for beloved American chef and food writer James Beard, JBF was created in his honor as a channel to recognize individuals and groups that have redefined the possibilities of the culinary world. Beard himself was a champion of American cuisine who helped to educate and foster a love of food and cooking among generations of burgeoning chefs and culinary enthusiasts.
Today, JBF continues to passionately carry out Beard’s legacy by offering programs that educate, support, and honor new leaders in the culinary world. Each year, the Foundation awards the outstanding individuals that help create such a rich culinary identity in America; the James Beard Foundation Awards recognize everyone from chefs to wine connoisseurs, to food writers, and everyone in between. Here are some of the 2014 JBF Award winners:
Cookbook of the Year: Historic Heston, Heston Blumenthal
Outstanding Personality/Host: Ina Garten, Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics
Television Program, on Location: The Mind of a Chef, (produced and hosted by Anthony Bourdain)
Food-Related Columns: Adam Sachs, Bon Appetit, The Obsessivore
Individual Food Blog: Homesick Texan, Lisa Fain
Publication of the Year: Civil Eats
“The secret of good cooking, is, first, having a love of it.” – James Beard
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH): Dave Beran, Next, Chicago
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT): Jamie Bissonnette, Coppa, Boston
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (D.C., DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA): Vikram Sunderam, Rasika, Washington, D.C.
Best Chef: Northwest (AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY): Naomi Pomeroy, Beast, Portland, OR
Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI): Justin Aprahamian, Sanford, Milwaukee
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR): Ryan Prewitt, Peche Seafood Grill, New Orleans
Best Chef: New York City (Five Boroughs): April Bloomfield, The Spotted Pig
Best Chef: West (CA, HI, NV): Daniel Patterson, Coi, San Francisco
Outstanding Restaurateur: Barbara Lynch, Barbara Lynch Gruppo, Boston
Other award categories include “Outstanding Service,” “Rising Star Chef of the Year,” and dozens of others. You can see the full list of winners by visiting the 2014 JBF Awards Winners announcement page.
