The culinary world’s equivalent of the Oscars will be held this evening in Chicago.
More than 100 restaurants are finalists in 22 categories for the coveted James Beard Awards. Just being a finalist can bring wide recognition and boost business. The most anticipated categories include awards for outstanding restaurateur, chef and restaurant.
For another year, the winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. Central. and will be livestreamed.
Jenner Tomaska of Esmé, Sujan Sarkar of Indienne, Anna Posey of Elske and Lula Cafe were announced as official James Beard Award Restaurant and Chef Award nominees in a ceremony in April. The four Chicago nominees compete in three categories and were selected from a longer list of semifinalists announced earlier this year.
Last year, Chicago chefs won two James Beard Awards: Tim Flores and Genie Kwon of Kasama for Best Chef: Great Lakes and Damarr Brown of Virtue for Emerging Chef.
