The James Beard Awards are the Oscars of the restaurant industry. Chefs and bartenders get to walk the red carpet as they step into the national spotlight for the hard work they do every day in the kitchens of the nation’s best restaurants. The award ceremony has traditionally been held in New York, but this year, for the 25th anniversary, the party is coming to Chicago for the first time.
On May 4th, Chef and TV host Alton Brown will host the ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago in front of nearly 2,000 guests. Awards for restaurants and chefs will be presented, with a gala reception to follow and the event is open to the public.
A few of this year’s nominees and our favorite local victors look forward to the big day and reflect on their winning memories.
Dana Cree
Pastry Chef, Blackbird/avec
2014 and 2015 Best Pastry Chef Nominee
“Bringing the James Beard Awards here not only shines a national light on the vibrant food and beverage scene, but allows Chicago to show the culinary world our deep sense of hospitality fueled by Midwestern generosity. Most importantly, it means we get to feed some of the best chefs and culinary professionals in the country!”
“I wore a tux last year. I love the sophistication and ambiguity of a feminine tuxedo, worn by women like Greta Garbo, Josephine Baker and Janelle Monáe. I think it’s sexier than an evening gown. I have spent the last 15 years of my life wearing the same pants and coats as all the men in the male-dominated culinary [field]. It feels natural to share the traditionally male evening wear in the same spirit when being honored for the work I do in my chef’s coat and pants.”
Donnie Madia
Managing Partner/Owner, One Off Hospitality
2012, 2013 and 2015 Outstanding Restaurateur Nominee
“As my dear business partner Terry Alexander always says, ‘No one person is bigger than the whole.’ While it is wonderful to be among such incredible company, my overall goal is to provide opportunities for our chefs and restaurant managers. Seeing our team receiving James Beard Awards is a far greater honor for me [than my own nomination].”
Tanya Baker
Executive Chef, Boarding House
2015 Rising Star Chef Nominee
“I am completely humbled with the nomination for Rising Chef. It is not something I would have ever dreamed of happening. It definitely encourages me to push onward and upward to making every day better than the last! I take a lot of pride in saying that I am from Chicago. It’s truly a blessing to be part of a city with so many acclaimed restaurants and chefs that are paving the way to excellence with the hospitality industry.”
Carrie Nahabedian
Chef/Owner, NAHA and Brindille
2008 Best Chef Great Lakes Winner
“Winning was a tremendous experience. It truly is a shock when you hear your name and everyone cheering for you. Grant Achatz gave me the award and the first person who congratulated me backstage was Jacques Pepin followed by Thomas Keller and Bobby Flay.”
Stephanie Izard
Chef/Owner, Girl & The Goat
2013 Best Chef Great Lakes Winner
“Top Chef, winning that award, got my name out there a little more nationally, but for me, winning a James Beard Award meant the most because it’s something that your peers actually vote for. So it made me feel like the chef community was behind the things I was doing at the restaurants.”
Bruce Sherman
Chef/Owner, North Pond
2012 Best Chef Great Lakes Winner
“Being the 25th anniversary of the Awards, it’s only fitting the Beard folks more explicitly acknowledge the talent in other cities outside of New York. [Hosting the awards] is a validation of what we in the restaurant community in Chicago have known for some time now—that this is an exciting, smart, world-class dining city.”
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