The 2015 James Beard Awards, Chicago

Martha Stewart | Photo: Ken Goodman

Affair: The 2015 James Beard Awards

When: Monday, May 4, 2015

Hot Spot: Lyric Opera of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Deets: The James Beard Foundation is proud to announce the final nominees for the 2015 James Beard Foundation Awards presented by Lexus. The nominees were announced today during a breakfast at the James Beard House in New York City, hosted by Susan Ungaro, James Beard Foundation president; executive vice-president, Mitchell Davis; Emily Luchetti, chair of the Foundation’s board of trustees; and John Washko, trustee and chair of the Awards committee.

“In celebration of the 25th James Beard Foundation Awards we are delighted to announce this year’s nominees live from the Beard House,” said Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. “We couldn’t imagine a more fitting place to celebrate the nominees during this exciting banner year than at Beard’s former Greenwich Village house.”

Nominees in 59 categories were announced in the Foundation’s various awards programs, including Restaurant and Chef, Restaurant Design, and Book, Broadcast and Journalism. In addition, previously announced special achievement award honorees were highlighted, including Lifetime Achievement, Humanitarian of the Year, Who’s Who, and the America’s Classics. A complete list of nominees can be found at the end of this release, as well as on jamesbeard.org/awards.

The James Beard Foundation Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception will take place at Lyric Opera of Chicago on Monday, May 4, 2015, hosted by Alton Brown. During the event, which is open to the public, awards for the Restaurant and Chef including America’s Classics and Restaurant Design categories will be handed out, along with special achievement awards including Humanitarian of the Year, Lifetime Achievement and Who’s Who of Food and Beverage in America. A gala reception will immediately follow, featuring top chefs and beverage professionals from across the country.

Established in 1990, the James Beard Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and further the Foundation’s mission to celebrate, nurture, and honor America’s diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire. Each award category has an individual committee made up of industry professionals who volunteer their time to oversee the policies, procedures, and selection of judges for their respective Awards program. All JBF Award winners receive a certificate and a medallion engraved with the James Beard Foundation Awards insignia. There are no cash prizes.

The 2015 James Beard Foundation Awards are presented by Lexus; in association with HMSHost, the Illinois Office of Tourism and Mariano’s; and the following partners: Premier Sponsors: All-Clad Metalcrafters, American Airlines, BACARDÍ® GRAN RESERVA, Lenox Tableware and Gifts, True Refrigeration®; Supporting Sponsors: Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water, Brand USA, Breville, Fine European Wines from Bulgaria, Goose Island Beer Company, Lavazza, S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water, Skuna Bay Salmon, Valrhona; Gala Reception Sponsors: Braveheart Black Angus Beef from PERFORMANCE Foodservice, Celebrity Cruises®, Ecolab, Groupon, Tanqueray No. TEN®, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts; with additional support from: Chefwear, VerTerra Dinnerware, and Wisconsin Cheese. The James Beard Foundation also gratefully acknowledges the generous support of the Chicago Department of Aviation, Choose Chicago and the Illinois Restaurant Association.

For a full list of the winners, click here.

Spotted:

Gala Reception Chefs

JBF Award Winner Justin Aprahamian

Sanford Restaurant, Milwaukee

Lamb Coppa with Pickled Fennel, Golden Raisins, and Toasted Fennel Dressing

JBF Award Winner Jimmy Bannos, Jr.

The Purple Pig, Chicago

Chilled Spanish Octopus Terrine with Spanish Potato Salad

JBF Award Winner Jamie Bissonnette

Toro, NYC

Lamb Tartare with Ibérico XO

JBF Award Winner David Beran

NEXT, Chicago

Roast Chicken with Egg and Thyme

JBF Award Winner Ashley Christensen

Poole’s Diner, Raleigh, NC

Pastrami-Cured Fried Bologna with Fermented Cabbage Slaw

JBF Award Winner Gale Gand

Presented by Illinois Office of Tourism

Chocolate Banana Crème Brûlée Spoonful

JBF Award Winner Colby Garrelts

Bluestem, Kansas City

Smoked Ribs with Cornbread and Root Slaw

JBF Award Winner Brooks Headley

Del Posto Restaurant, NYC

Superiority Burgers

JBF Award Winner Jennifer Jasinski

Rioja, Denver

Dungeness Crab and Lime Confiture Salad with Hawaiian Heart of Palm and Celery Gelée

JBF Award Winner Melissa Kelly

Primo Restaurants LTD, Rockland, ME

Risi e Bisi > Lobster and Wild Nettle Arancini with Sweet Pea Soup

JBF Award Winner Tory McPhail

Commander’s Palace, New Orleans

Foie Gras, Bacon, and Milk Chocolate Boudin Truffle

JBF Award Winner Daniel Patterson

Coi, San Francisco

Loco’l Crushed Veggie Bowl

JBF Award Winner Ryan Prewitt

Pêche Seafood Grill, New Orleans

Smoked Tuna Dip

Matthew Rudofker

Momofuku Ssäm Bar, NYC

Diver Scallops with Jalapeño Dashi, Snap Peas, and Hon-Shimeji

JBF Award Winner Chris Shepherd

Underbelly, Houston

Korean Braised Beef Shin Ssäm with Coca–Cola Pickled Red Onions

JBF Award Winner Nancy Silverton

Mozza Restaurant Group, Los Angeles

Roasted Carrots with Ceci and Cumin Vinaigrette

JBF Award Winner Vikram Sunderam

Rasika, Washington, D.C.

Avocado Puri

JBF Award Winner Takashi Yagihashi

Slurping Turtle, Chicago

Smoked Gulf Shrimp with Spicy Sausage, Swiss Chard, Okra, Hominy, and Mochi Cake

VIP Experience Chef

JBF Award Winner Stephanie Izard

Girl & the Goat, Chicago

Lexus Culinary Master

Gala Sponsor Chefs

Sarah Kosikowski and Derek Poirier