The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards were announced earlier this month for the first time since 2020 following a hiatus during the pandemic as well as a series of changes following an audit of policies and procedures. The American awards serve to recognise exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media and broader food system as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive.
The 2022 Awards are the first since changes to the Awards were made as a result of an audit of policies and procedures, including establishing a Code of Ethics and an independent review process conducted by the Awards' volunteer Ethics Committee.
Outstanding Restauranteur - Chris Bianco, Tratto, Pane Bianco, and Pizzeria Bianco, Phoenix
Outstanding Chef - Mashama Bailey, The Grey, Savannah, GA
Outstanding Restaurant - Chai Pani, Asheville, NC
Emerging Chef - Edgar Rico, Nixta Taqueria, Austin
Best New Restaurant - Owamni, Minneapolis
Outstanding Pastry Chef - Warda Bouguettaya, Warda Pâtisserie, Detroit
Outstanding Baker - Don Guerra, Barrio Bread, Tucson, AZ
Outstanding Hospitality - Cúrate, Asheville, NC
Outstanding Wine Program - The Four Horsemen, NYC
Outstanding Bar Program - Julep, Houston
The regional awards for the Best Chef also returned seeing Brandon Jew, Mister Jiu's, awarded in California; Erick Williams, Virtue Restaurant & Bar, taking the award in Great Lakes; Cristina Martinez, South Philly Barbacoa, taking the Mid-Atlantic; Dane Baldwin, The Diplomat, winning in the Midwest; Caroline Glover, Annette, taking the accolade in Mountain; Chintan Pandya, Dhamaka, winning in New York State; Nisachon Morgan, Saap, taking the Northeast award; Robynne Maii, Fete, winning in the Northwest and Pacific; Ricky Moore, SALTBOX Seafood Joint, winning in the Southwest; Adam Evans, Automatic Seafood and Oysters, receiving the top prize in the South; Fernando Olea, Sazón, in the Southwest and finally Iliana de la Vega, El Naranjo, winning Best Chef in Texas.
The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organisation with a mission to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America's food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability. Find out more about the awards and winners here.