From Saturday, June 11 through Monday, June 13, Chicago will host the 2022 James Beard Awards® presented by Capital One. The James Beard Awards, considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors, recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive. For the first time, Chicago will host all ceremonies, including the Restaurant and Chef Awards, Leadership Awards, and the Media Awards (Book, Broadcast Media, and Journalism Awards).
James Beard Awards co-hosts Choose Chicago and Illinois Restaurant Association champion the city’s vibrant hospitality community throughout the year, but this weekend provides a particularly proud moment. Public celebrations include a wide array of events, including cross-country restaurant collaborations, education sessions, special menus, backyard BBQs, and more.
Chicago’s 2022 festivities include:
JBF Session: Storytelling
From the Kitchen to Food Media: Translating your culinary skills into content.
WHEN: Saturday, June 11, 10:30 – 11:15 A.M. CST (30 min., 15 min Q&A)
WHERE: Kendall College at National Louis University, 2nd Floor Atrium
122 S Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60603
Moderated by Jamila Robinson (Editor, Philadelphia Inquirer; James Beard Journalism Awards Committee Chair), panelists will include members of the culinary and food media industries. The panelists include Rochelle Brown (Co-Owner and Executive Producer, Powerhouse Productions; 2022 Broadcast Media Award nominee); Hsiao-Ching Chou (Cookbook Author; Editor and Writer; James Beard Book Awards Committee Chair); Joseph Yonan (Food and Dining Editor, The Washington Post; 2022 Book Awards Nominee) and Ken Rubin(Chief Culinary Officer, Rouxbe, James Beard Broadcast Media Awards Committee Co-Chair).
This panel will discuss what it takes to transition from the kitchen to food media, including translating your culinary skills into content. Tickets are free and available via this link.
Fab Freddies Supports The James Beard Awards
WHEN: 9 A.M. – 11 P.M. Daily (June 10-13)
WHERE: Fabulous Freddies Italian Eatery
701 W 31st St, Chicago, IL 60616
Any guest named James—who also sports a beard—will get an award of his own: a free milkshake with the purchase of a sandwich or entrée.
A Culinary Crawl Through Logan Square
Hosted by Chefs Doug Psaltis & Hsing Chen
WHEN: Sunday, June 12
WHERE: Andros Taverna, 2542 N Milwaukee Ave
Logan Square Farmers Market, 3025-3113 N Milwaukee Ave
Estereo, 2450 N Milwaukee Ave
Mini Mott, 3057 W Logan Blvd
Taqueria Chingon, 2234 N Western Ave
Longman & Eagle, 2657 N Kedzie Ave
Hosts: Chef Doug Psaltis and Pastry Chef Hsing Chen (Andros Taverna)
To celebrate the return of the James Beard Awards, Andros Taverna is organizing a Logan Square Crawl. Guests can kick off the day with brunch at Andros, which will feature classic recipes from James Beard’s American Cookery, before or after a visit to the Logan Square Farmers Market just steps away.
From 10AM-12PM Chef Francisco Migoya of Modernist Cuisine (Nominee for James Beard Book Awards, Restaurant & Professional) will sign books and meet and greet. Attendees should feel free to bring their book or insert pages will be available for Chef Migoya to sign. They will have the opportunity to enter a raffle to win the entire book set of Modernist Pizza. There will also be a raffle for a signed/framed poster of Neapolitan Man created by Chef Migoya. Chef Doug Psaltis will include a pizza from Modernist Pizza on the menu that day.
Continue the celebration with day drinking at Estereo. Crawlers can enjoy an afternoon snack at Mini Mott, which will feature a mashup of the James Beard burger and their Garlic Butter Burger – highly seasoned just the way James Beard likes it with garlic confit, miso onions and garlic salt, topped with the best seasonal greens, alliums and tomatoes. Or guests can make a pit stop at nearby local favorite Taqueria Chingon for a taste of Mexican cuisine. To end the day, enjoy Sunday Supper at Longman & Eagle, followed by a nightcap and snack back at Andros.
The Abundance Setting X Andrew Friedman:
Women’s Advancement
WHEN: Sunday, June 12, 1:00 – 2:30 P.M.
WHERE: Kendall College at National Louis University 2nd floor Atrium
122 S Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60603
Author and journalist Andrew Friedman will moderate the panel and air audio of the event on his industry podcast, “Andrew Talks to Chefs.” Panelists include Beverly Kim (Parachute and Wherewithall), Jason Hammel (Lula Cafe), Claudette Zepeda (VAGA Restaurant/San Diego) and Sarah Stegner (Prairie Grass Cafe).
For generations, motherhood has been one of the most persistent obstacles to a career in hospitality. Working hours that are incompatible with the demands of childcare; unforgiving schedules that, regardless of what the law dictates, stigmatize maternity leave; and wages and benefits that often don’t provide enough to sustain a family. Is it any wonder that becoming a mom is often the same decision that removes a valued contributor from the pro kitchen or dining room? This panel discussion features a cross-section of industry professionals who will offer specific, actionable suggestions for how working mothers, employers, and coworkers can collaborate to make motherhood—and more broadly, parenthood—a non-issue for hospitality workers, keep these employees in the jobs they love, and in the process, help stem the tide of an ever-dwindling workforce. Grab your free tickets here!
JBF Session
A Chef’s Retrospective
WHEN: Sunday, June 12, 3:00 P.M. (60 min, 15 min Q&A)
WHERE: Kendall College at National Louis University 2nd floor Atrium,
122 S Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60603
Tanya Holland (Author, TV Host, Chef, and James Beard Awards Committee Chair and Board member) will moderate the panel. Panelists include Marcus Samuelsson (Chef, Restaurateur, Author, Marcus Samuelsson Group; 2022 James Beard Broadcast Media and Book Award Nominee; James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award Winner). List in formation. This discussion will center around the careers, experiences, and anecdotes of renowned chefs, and how their journeys differ from one another. Grab your free tickets here.
Sunday Backyard BBQ with BARDA
WHEN: Sunday, June 12, 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. (Or while supplies last)
WHERE: Sportsman’s Club
948 N. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60622
Sportsman’s Club welcomes Best New Restaurant nominee, BARDA (Detroit, MI), for an afternoon backyard BBQ. BARDA’s crew will take over the grill for a special one-day-only menu, while Sportsman’s Club will offer a variety of drink specials to pair. No reservations are required. Walk-ins only.
JBF Greens x Dove’s
2022 Awards Weekend Happy Hour
WHEN: Sunday, June 12, 4:30 — 6:30 P.M.
WHERE: Dove’s Luncheonette, 1545 N Damen
JBF Greens will host a happy hour at Dove’s Luncheonette in celebration of the 31st annual James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago. The beloved Wicker Park neighborhood hangout will open especially for JBF Greens (and friends!) to toast the 2022 Awards.
Executive chef Sam O’Keefe will create a selection of festive Mexican-inspired bites that pay homage to the bygone neighborhood diners of Chicago’s past. Guests will also enjoy sparkling wine from J Vineyards & Winery, specialty cocktails from the eatery’s tequila and mezcal-focused cocktail program and sounds from 1960’s and 70’s Chicago soul and blues.
Tickets are $35 for JBF Greens Members and $45 for General Admission. Tickets will be available starting Friday, May 20 here. 70% of the ticket price will go directly to the host restaurant while 30% will go towards the Foundation’s programs, including the Open for Good campaign to support independent restaurants.
