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From Saturday, June 11 through Monday, June 13, Chicago will host the 2022 James Beard Awards. The James Beard Awards, recognize 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 hospitality community throughout the year. 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:

SATURDAY, JUNE 11

JBF Session: Storytelling – From the Kitchen to Food Media: Translating your culinary skills into content.

Kendall College at National Louis University, 2nd Floor Atrium, 122 S Michigan Avenue

10:30 - 11:15 A.M. CST (30 min., 15 min Q&A)  

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. 

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Fab Freddies Supports The James Beard Awards 

Fabulous Freddies Italian Eatery, 701 W 31st St. 9 A.M. – 11 P.M. Daily (June 10-13) 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. 

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SUNDAY, JUNE 12 

A Culinary Crawl Through Logan Square Hosted by Chefs Doug Psaltis & Hsing Chen 

  • 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 

All day 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 choose 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, Sunday Supper at Longman & Eagle, followed by a nightcap and snack back at Andros.  

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The Abundance Setting X Andrew Friedman: Women’s Advancement 

Kendall College at National Louis University 2nd floor Atrium,122 S Michigan Ave 1:00 - 2:30 P.M.  

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.

Tickets are free and available via this link.

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JBF Session: A Chef’s Retrospective 

Kendall College at National Louis University 2nd floor Atrium,122 S Michigan Ave

3:00 P.M. (60 min, 15 min Q&A)  

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 chefs, and how their journeys differ from one another.

Tickets are free and available via this link.

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Sunday Backyard BBQ with Barda

Sportsman’s Club, 948 N. Western Ave 4:00 – 8:00 P.M. (Or while supplies last)

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.

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JBF Greens x Dove’s: 2022 Awards Weekend Happy Hour 

Dove’s Luncheonette, 1545 N Damen Ave 4:30 - 6:30 P.M. 

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 Wicker Park neighborhood hangout will open especially for JBF Greens  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 choose 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 go on sale Friday, May 20 via this link. *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.

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Evening at The Bamboo Room with Kevin Beary Time 

The Bamboo Room, 435 N Clark St (in the alley) 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. 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 choose specialty and off menu cocktails carefully crafted by 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.  

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A Celebration of the Industry at Smyth + The Loyalist

177 N Ada St #101, Chicago, IL 60607 5:00 – 9:00 P.M. 

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. 

A Chef's Table experience, where the culinary team serves and explains each course. This 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 will be offered a beverage menu of seasonally inspired cocktails, spirit-free drinks and rare vintage spirits.

Tickets for Smyth can be purchased via this link. Reservations for The Loyalist can be made via this link.

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A Collaboration + Celebration at Travelle at the Langham, Chicago  

Travelle at the Langham Chicago, 330 N Wabash5:00 P.M. – 10:00 P.M. 

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 and can be purchased via this link.

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Julep Takeover in Celebration of 15 Years of the Violet Hour 

The Violet Hour, 1520 N. Damen Ave.  9:00 P.M. – 12:00 A.M.   

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  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. Reservations encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome. The menu is served a la carte. Reservations are available via this link

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Attaboy Takeover 

Sportsman’s Club, 948 N. Western Ave 9:00 P.M. – 12:00 A.M.

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

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TUESDAY, JUNE 14 

Nixta Taqueria x Bar Sótano 

Bar Sótano, 443 N Clark Street 5:00P.M. - 9:30 P.M.

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.  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. The 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

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ONGOING

“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 a taste of Chicago home with Here Here Market’s 'Celebrate JBF Chicago Alumni Collection' starring a 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 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.

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