2009 JBF Awards Highlights
The James Beard Foundation Awards shine a spotlight on the best and brightest talent in the food and beverage industry.
Covering all aspects of the industry—from chefs and restaurateurs to cookbook authors and food journalists to restaurant designers and architects and more—the James Beard Foundation Awards are the highest honors for food and beverage professionals working in America. The awards are presented each spring at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center. Nominees and winners are fêted at a weekend of gala events in New York City that has become the social and gastronomic highlight of the year.
No where has the power and influence of women in the food industry been more recognized than at the James Beard Foundation, where more than 350 medallions have been awarded to women during the 19-year history of the Awards. There are more talented and successful women than ever before in all aspects of the food and hospitality world, from chefs to farmers, pastry chefs to bread bakers, winemakers to cheese makers, and more. At this year’s Awards, the James Beard Foundation will be celebrating these women who serve as role models for future generations and who help make our world more delicious every day. At the Media Awards Dinner and Gala Reception celebrations, women from various areas of the culinary industry and from across the country will be represented.
Established in 1990, the James Beard Foundation Awards are a program of the James Beard Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to celebrate, nurture, and preserve America’s culinary heritage and diversity in order to elevate our appreciation of the culinary arts. For more information, to join as a member, to learn more about James Beard, or to sign up to receive Beard Bites, our free electronic newsletter, visit www.jamesbeard.org.