A Night of Culinary Recognition: James Beard Foundation's 2024 Awards

The James Beard Foundation® proudly announced the winners of the 2024 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards, presented by Capital One. These awards honor excellence across the culinary industry, from fine dining to community gems, while supporting a more sustainable industry. The full list of winners is available below and on the James Beard Foundation website.

The winners were revealed during a live ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, co-hosted by Nyesha Arrington, chef and co-host of FOX’s Next Level Chef; Richard Blais, chef and James Beard Award–nominated author; Amanda Freitag, chef and judge on Food Network’s Chopped; and Marcus Samuelsson, James Beard Award–winning chef and author.

In attendance were the 2024 James Beard Award live stream and red carpet correspondents: Francis Lam, food journalist and host of The Splendid Table; Nilou Motamed, Emmy-nominated TV personality; and Sophia Roe, James Beard Award–winning chef and TV host.

Additional presenters included Lorena Garcia, celebrity chef; Gregory Gourdet, James Beard Award–winning chef; Tim Flores and Genie Kwon, James Beard Award–winning chefs; Karen Akunowicz, James Beard Award–winning chef; Elizabeth Falkner, James Beard Award–nominated chef and trustee; Paul Kahan, James Beard Award–winning chef; Donnie Madia, James Beard Award–winning restaurateur; Bricia Lopez, James Beard Award winner; Rob Rubba, James Beard Award–winning chef; Nancy Silverton, James Beard Award–winning chef; Art Smith, James Beard Award–winning chef; Aldo Sohm, James Beard Award–winning sommelier; Tanya Holland, chef and Awards Committee Chair; and Chad Williams, James Beard Award–winning chef.

"Tonight, we celebrate the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Award winners for their phenomenal achievements," said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation. "These individuals embody our Good Food for Good ethos, showcasing exceptional talent, dedication, and commitment to elevating the industry. Their passion, skill, and leadership are shaping our nation’s dining landscape and setting a new standard for culinary excellence."

“Congratulations to the 2024 winners on this well-deserved recognition,” said Dawn Padmore, VP of Awards, James Beard Foundation. “Thanks to our subcommittee and judges for their dedication to the Awards.”

“The James Beard Awards present an invaluable opportunity to acknowledge the work of our industry,” added Tanya Holland, Chair of the James Beard Awards Committee. “I’m proud of the Foundation's efforts and excited to continue celebrating the best in our industry.”

"On behalf of the Restaurant and Chef Awards Subcommittee, congratulations to the 2024 winners. We are thrilled to honor this exceptional group of culinary leaders,” said Subcommittee Co-Chairs Lauren Saria and Allecia Vermillion. “Thank you for sharing your talent and passion, and for advancing our food culture."

The voting process and criteria for all Restaurant and Chef Awards can be found on the James Beard Foundation website.

2024 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Winners

The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards celebrate excellence in a range of experiences, from fine-dining establishments to casual gems, and emerging talents to established luminaries, while encouraging a more sustainable industry. Established in 1990, these awards are one of five separate recognition programs. The 2024 winners are recognized across 22 categories.

Outstanding Chef presented by Hilton: Michael Rafid, Albi, Washington, D.C.

Outstanding Restaurateur: Erika Whitaker and Kelly Whitaker, ID EST (The Wolf's Tailor, BRUTØ, Basta, and others), Boulder, CO

Outstanding Restaurant presented by Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water: Langbaan, Portland, OR

Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water: Masako Morishita, Perry's, Washington, D.C.

Best New Restaurant presented by Clover from Fiserv: Dakar NOLA, New Orleans, LA

Outstanding Bakery: ZU Bakery, Portland, ME

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Atsuko Fujimoto, Norimoto Bakery, Portland, ME

Outstanding Hospitality presented by American Airlines: Lula Cafe, Chicago, IL

Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program: Lula Drake Wine Parlour, Columbia, SC

Outstanding Bar: Jewel of the South, New Orleans, LA

Regional Best Chefs presented by Capital One:

• Best Chef: California: Lord Maynard Llera, Kuya Lord, Los Angeles, CA

• Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH): Hajime Sato, Sozai, Clawson, MI
• Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA): Harley Peet, Bas Rouge, Easton, MD

• Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI): Christina Nguyen, Hai Hai, Minneapolis, MN
• Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY): Matt Vawter, Rootstalk, Breckenridge, CO
• Best Chef: New York State: Charlie Mitchell, Clover Hill, Brooklyn, NY
• Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT): David Standridge, The Shipwright's Daughter, Mystic, CT
• Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA): Gregory Gourdet, Kann, Portland, OR

• Best Chef: South (AL, AR, FL, LA, MS, PR): Valerie Chang, Maty's, Miami, FL
• Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV): Paul Smith, 1010 Bridge, Charleston, WV
• Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK): Rene Andrade, Bacanora, Phoenix, AZ
• Best Chef: Texas: Ana Liz Pulido, Ana Liz Taqueria, Mission, TX

Previously Announced Winners and Honorees

Previously announced winners of the Restaurant and Chef America’s Classics Awards and the James Beard Achievement Awards (Leadership Awards, Humanitarian of the Year Award, and Lifetime Achievement Award) were also celebrated on stage.

America’s Classics presented by Heinz:

• California: Mandalay, San Francisco, CA; Owner: Sherry Dung
• Mid-Atlantic: Vietnam Restaurant, Philadelphia, PA; Owner: Benny Lai
• Midwest: Pheasant Restaurant and Lounge, Brookings, SD; Owners: Georgiana Olson and Michael Johnson
• New York State: Sylvia’s Restaurant, New York, NY; Owners: The Woods Family
• Southeast: Wade’s Restaurant, Spartanburg, SC; Owners: Hamp Lindsey, Wade Lindsey III, and Anna Lindsey Liles
• Southwest: Peppermill Restaurant and Fireside Lounge, Las Vegas, NV; Owners: Nat Carasali and Bill Paganetti

Achievement Awards:

2024 Leadership Award Honorees:

• Food Security and Access: Helga Garza, Executive Director, Agri-Cultura Cooperative Network/La Cosecha
• Industry Culture and Practices: Muhammad Abdul-Hadi, Founder/Owner, Down North Pizza and Down North Foundation
• Policy Advocacy: Niaz Dorry, Coordinating Director, North American Marine Alliance (NAMA), Executive Director, National Family Farm Coalition (NFFC)
• Sustainability: Mai Nguyen, Farmer, Farmer Mai
• Emerging Leadership: Christa Barfield, Founder and CEO, FarmerJawn

Humanitarian of the Year: The LEE InitiativeThe LEE Initiative promotes diversity, equity, and empowerment within the restaurant industry, founded by chef Edward Lee and Lindsey Ofcacek in 2017. Known for its relief work, it has raised over $5 million in aid and investments for small farms, Black-owned food businesses, and more. Ofcacek and Lee were honored with the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for their work through The LEE Initiative.

Lifetime Achievement: Ruth ReichlThe 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award honoree is Ruth Reichl, a prominent writer, editor, and television personality. Known for her impactful food critiques and memoirs, Reichl has been a significant influence in the culinary world, earning seven James Beard Awards and the Who’s Who of Food & Beverage in America award.

About the James Beard Awards

The James Beard Awards recognize exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media, and the broader food system. Established in 1990, these awards are among the nation’s most prestigious honors in the culinary and food media industries. Each awards program (Books, Broadcast Media, Journalism, Leadership, and Restaurant and Chef) has its own subcommittee overseeing the selection of judges and policies. Winners receive a certificate and a medallion engraved with the James Beard Foundation Awards insignia.

About the James Beard Foundation

The James Beard Foundation (JBF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that celebrates and supports the people behind America’s food culture, advocating for new industry standards to create a future where all can thrive. Established over 30 years ago, JBF is dedicated to fostering a more equitable and sustainable future through its annual awards, programs, advocacy, and events. JBF’s mission, Good Food for Good®, is brought to life through these efforts, highlighting and supporting the diversity and resilience of the culinary community.

For more information about the James Beard Awards, visit jamesbeard.org/awards.