The James Beard Awards will still come from Chicago when they are announced Sept. 25, 2020 at 6:30 p.m. CT but instead of the in-person ceremony at the Lyric Opera House they will be broadcast via Twitter and on the Foundation’s social channels (@beardfoundation on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #jbfa).
The program will also celebrate this year’s Restaurant and Chef nominees and be an evening of storytelling, focusing on the accomplishments of our nominees as well as the historic challenges that the food and beverage industry faces while discussing ways to work together to rebuild a stronger and more equitable future.
In addition, the program will celebrate previously announced honorees including those in America’s Classics, Lifetime Achievement, Humanitarian of the Year, Design Icon, and Leadership.
Ji Suk Yi, a staple in local Chicago media and television for over ten years will host to the chow and broadcast from Chicago and virtually send it around the country where presenters and program participants will join remotely.
These include such culinary trailblazers, industry changemakers, James Beard Awards staff, nominees and winners, as Alice Waters, Pati Jinich, Questlove, Nicole Byer, Ann Kim, Tahiirah Habibi plus local Chicago chefs Erick Williams and Maya-Camille Broussard and Foundation CEO, Clare Reichenbach.
Also on the program: Gail Simmons will moderate a roundtable discussion with Kwame Onwuachi, Tanya Holland, Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark on rebuilding restaurants for the future. Colleen Vincent, Foundation vice president of community, will speak with Leadership Award Winner Sean Sherman about leading change and diversity through food, and the recent announcement of the James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans.
“This year’s ceremony will be like none we’ve ever had, but we’re looking forward to gathering virtually to applaud and recognize our honorees and Restaurant and Chef nominees,” said Foundation CEO Clare Reichenbach. “We hope that people watching at home will take the chance to support their local independent restaurants that night, especially those of local nominees. Order take-out or delivery, tip well, and join us as we celebrate and join in conversation with industry leaders about issues facing the restaurant community today and the hope for the future.”
