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.
Image Credit: Kinship
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.
Evening at The Bamboo Room with Kevin Beary Time
WHEN: Sunday, June 12, 5:00 – 10:00 P.M. Guests can select from the following time slots: 5:00 P.M., 7:00 P.M. and 9:00 P.M.
WHERE: The Bamboo Room, 435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654
The Bamboo Room is tucked away inside of Three Dots and a Dash. Named one of Esquire’s “Best Bars in America,” The Bamboo Room offers a tailored experience through the world of rum in an intimate environment. Guests will enjoy specialty and off menu cocktails carefully crafted by attentive award-winning beverage director, Kevin Beary. A $15 reservation deposit per person is required. The deposit will be applied to bill. Tickets can be purchased via this link.
A Celebration of the Industry at Smyth + The Loyalist
WHEN: Sunday, June 12, 5:00 – 9:00 P.M.
WHERE: Smyth: 177 N Ada St #101, Chicago, IL 60607
The Loyalist: 177 N Ada St #001, Chicago, IL 60607
With deep respect for the James Beard Awards nominees, Smyth + The Loyalist celebrates the return of the industry by opening their doors for a special Sunday service on June 12.
Enjoy an exclusive Chef’s Table experience, where the culinary team serves and explains each course. This joyful journey through food pays homage to the depth and richness of Chef John Shields’ and Pastry Chef Karen Urie Shields’ five years in the farmlands of Smyth County, Virginia – the tasting menu changes every day, evolving as they gather new inspiration from products at the height of their seasonality. They’ll offer two different wine pairing options, which you may select in advance or upon arrival the evening of your reservation in addition to a full wine list.
Not typically open on Sundays, The Loyalist is offering reservations to experience their menu of familiar favorites that are made with the same uncompromising attention to detail as Smyth. Guests can also enjoy a beverage menu of seasonally inspired cocktails, creative spirit-free drinks and rare vintage spirits.
Tickets for Smyth can be purchased here. Reservations for The Loyalist can be made here.
A Collaboration + Celebration at Travelle at the Langham, Chicago
WHEN: Sunday, June 12, 5:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M.
WHERE: Travelle at the Langham Chicago
330 N Wabash Ave, Chicago, IL 60611
Chef collaborators include Justin Gomes (Chef de Cuisine at Travelle at the Langham Chicago), Verlord Laguatan (Chef de Cuisine at Viceroy Hotel, Somerset & Devereaux), Zubair Mohajir (Jean Banchet Nominated – Executive Chef & Partner Wazwan & the Coach House by Wazwan) and Chris Dodson (Sous Chef at Alinea, Chopped Champion).
Travelle will host a Chef Collaboration Dinner featuring local up-and-coming Chicago chefs who will prepare six courses inspired by the cookbook, “James Beard’s American Cookery.” Tickets are $150 per person and go live on 05/25/22. Get yours now via this link.
Julep Takeover
In Celebration of 15 Years of the Violet Hour
WHEN: Sunday, June 12, 9:00 P.M. – 12:00 A.M.
WHERE: The Violet Hour
1520 N Damen Ave, Chicago, IL 60622
In tandem with its 15th anniversary, Chicago’s very own James Beard Foundation Award-winning bar The Violet Hour will open up its unmarked doors to Houston’s pioneering craft cocktail force Alba Huerta, owner of the acclaimed Julep (a 2022 James Beard nominee for Outstanding Bar Program) for a special celebratory bar takeover in honor of awards weekend. Alba and the Julep team will bring their signature Southern-inspired cocktails and down-home hospitality to the heart of Wicker Park to showcase two of the nation’s most influential names in cocktailing.
Reservations are encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. The menu is served a la carte. Reservations are available via this link.
Attaboy Takeover
WHEN: 9:00 P.M. – 12:00 A.M.
WHERE: Sportsman’s Club
948 N. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60622
James Beard Foundation Award Outstanding Bar Program nominee Attaboy will take over Sportsman’s Club with a special cocktail menu for one night only! Reservations only. Please email attaboy@drinkingandgathering.com for reservations.
Nixta Taqueria x Bar Sótano
WHEN: Tuesday, June 14. 5:00P.M. – 9:30 P.M.
WHERE: Bar Sótano, 443 N Clark Street
Bar Sótano will host a chef collaboration with Chef Edgar Ulysess Rico and crew from Nixta in Austin, Texas. A finalist for the James Beard Foundation’s “Emerging Chef” award, Chef Edgar is making big waves for his tiny taqueria. The hype is real and deserved. Like the Nixta crew, we have a deep love for modern tacos and masa snacks made from beautiful heirloom corn, and that’s what you’ll find at our collab. A ticket gets you: aguachile, four certified “bomb-ass” tacos—two from Nixta, one from Bar Sótano and a one-time-only collaboration taco—plus dessert. Our bar team will be slinging agave spirits all night.
Let’s end Beard weekend en estilo, sí? Tickets are $60 and can be purchased via this link.
Ongoing Collaboration Box
“Celebrate JBF Chicago Alumni Collection,” A Collaboration Box Between Here Here Market, Choose Chicago and Illinois Restaurant Association
Can’t make it to the awards? Bring the ultimate taste of Chicago home with Here Here Market’s ‘Celebrate JBF Chicago Alumni Collection’ starring a dream team roster of James Beard Award-nominated chefs. This exclusive collaboration between Here Here Market, Choose Chicago, and the Illinois Restaurant Association will directly support both acclaimed local chefs and up-and-coming culinary talent through a dedicated scholarship offered by the James Beard Foundation. Sign up to get first access to boxes via this link.
Featured Image Credit: Choose Chicago
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