Comments icon Comments

Chicago will celebrate the arrival of the 2023 James Beard Awards from Friday, June 2 through Monday, June 5 with a weekend of large-scale events, including concerts, special collaborations, education sessions, and more.  

Open to the public, 2023 festivities include: 

FRIDAY, JUNE 2

8 p.m. – 10 p.m. A Welcome to Chicago Concert at Judson & Moore - Judson & Moore Distillery 3057 N Rockwell St, Bldg 5, Chicago, IL 60618

Judson & Moore kicks off Awards weekend with a special “Welcome to Chicago” concert in their tasting room. The event will showcase artist Michelle Billingsley’s newest album, whiskeys from Judson & Moore, and tacos from Big Star. Cocktails and bites will be available for purchase. A distillery tour will be offered at 4 p.m. to learn more about Judson & Moore’s spirits and distilling process. Tour tickets can be purchased for $25.


SATURDAY, JUNE 3

12 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Pizzeria Beddia Pop-Up at RPM Events - RPM Events 317 N Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654

RPM Events is welcoming Chef Joe Beddia of Pizzeria Beddia in Philly, for a special three-course menu available for one day only. The menu includes family-style starters such as Cantabrian Anchovies, Caesar Salad, and more; a second course featuring a variety of signature pies; and soft serve for dessert. Each course will be paired with wines selected by the RPM Sommelier Team. This one-day-only pop-up is $95, plus tax.

1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Coffee Talk: An Industry Roundtable on Mental Health in Hospitality - Sparrow Coffee Roastery 2040 West Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60612 

Presented by Hope for the Day & The Graceful Ordinary Moderated by Andrew Zimmern of Bizarre Foods. Hope for The Day, a nonprofit organization empowering the conversation on proactive suicide prevention, joins restaurant partners Chris & Megan Curren of The Graceful Ordinary to present a discussion and roundtable on the importance of mental health in the restaurant and hospitality space. The interactive event will be held at Sparrow Coffee Roastery in Fulton Market and will be moderated by Andrew Zimmern. The coffee chat will kick off with a reception including a tasting of some of Sparrow’s rare and exotic blends + some light food from Chef Curren and The Graceful Ordinary. He will be joined by a team of panelists sharing their experiences within the industry:

  • Genie Kwon and Tim Flores – Kasama: Chicago, JBF Finalist Best Chef Great Lakes 2023
  • Curtis Duffy – Chef, Ever, After, The Canvas: Chicago, JBF Winner Best Chef Great Lakes 2016, Recipient: MICHELIN 2 stars – Ever
  • Dominique Leach – Lexington Betty Smokehouse: Chicago, Food Network star, “Best Barbecue in Chicago” by Good Morning America
  • Jason Vincent – Giant, Chef’s Special Cocktail Bar, Pizza Matta: Chicago, JBF Finalist Outstanding Chef 2022
  • Christopher & Megan Curren – The Graceful Ordinary: St Charles, IL, Restaurant Partners, Hope For the Day

1:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. 

JBF Session: Food Access & Sustainable Communities - Kendall College at National Louis University 2nd Floor Atrium, 122 S Michigan Avenue, Chicago IL 60603 

In this discussion, chefs and activists address this challenge, what drives it, and their own solutions toward a better future, while investing in the present. Moderated by Colleen Vincent, Vice President of Community, James Beard Foundation. Panelists include:

  • Rick Bayless, Topolobampo and Frontera Grill, Multiple-time James Beard Award Winner
  • Maya-Camille Broussard, Justice of the Pies, 2022 James Beard Nominee, Outstanding Baker 
  • Brandon Chrostowski, EDWINS Leadership and Restaurant Institute, 2023 James Beard Award Nominee, Outstanding Restaurateur 
  • Valerie Horn, Community Agricultural Nutritional Enterprises (CANE), Whitesburg, KY, 2023 James Beard Foundation Leadership Winner 
  • Justin Pioche, Pioche Food Group, 2023 James Beard Award Semifinalist, Best Chef – Southwest
  • Sarah Welch, Marrow, 2023 James Beard Nominee, Best Chef: Great Lakes
  • Erick Williams, Virtue, 2022 James Beard Award Winner, Best Chef - Great Lakes 

3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.

Beef & Bandidos - Al’s #1 Italian Beef (Little Italy) 1079 W Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607

Al’s Beef is hosting a happy hour at Al’s Beef in Little Italy in celebration of the 32nd annual James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago. Al's is opening the doors of their neighborhood beef stand on West Taylor Street. They’re partnering with El Bandido Yankee Tequila and its co-founder, NHL Hall-of-Famer Chris Chelios, along with the family that owns and operates Mario’s Italian Lemonade business. Guests will be offered Italian Beef, specialty tequila-infused cocktails, tequila-spiked lemonade from Mario’s, and gift bags with Chicago collectibles from Chris Chelios and Chris Pacelli (of the Al’s Beef family).

3:15 p.m. – 4 p.m. (with reception to follow)

The Abundance Setting x JBF Panel: Who’s Watching the Kids? - Kendall College at National Louis University 7th Floor, 18 S Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60603

“Who’s Watching the Kids?” They will be speaking with women chefs who have been juggling many roles in the restaurant business to gain insight into how they have made it work, the challenges, and what meaningful changes are needed for women to continue to progress. They will also have a short reception to follow with bites from restaurants in the Chicago area that are women-led (Demera, Floriole, Tribecca’s, Verzenay, Soul & Smoke) and beverages donated by Proxies. Panelists include:

  • Diana Dávila, Chef/Owner Mi Tocaya Antojeria, JBF 2023 Finalist Best Chef Great Lakes
  • Mary Sue Milliken, Author/ Media Personality and Chef/Owner Border Grill, Co-Founder Non-profit Regarding Her, JBF Restaurant Award 1985
  • Tigist Reda, Chef/Owner Demera, Host of Chicago Chefs Cook for Tigray, Abundance Setting Mentor
  • Becca Grothe, Chef/Co-Owner of Tribecca’s Sandwich Shop, Alum of The Abundance Setting’s 3 Chefs/3 Moms Program
  • Erick Williams, Virtue Restaurant & Bar, 2022 James Beard Award Winner – Best Chef Great Lakes, Mustard Seed Kitchen, Daisy’s Po-Boy and Tavern, Top This Mac and Cheese

The session will be hosted by Beverly Kim, Founder, The Abundance Setting and Chef/Owner, Parachute (JBF 2019 Best Chef Great Lakes) and Sarah Stegner, Founding Member, The Abundance Setting and Chef/Owner, Prairie Grass Cafe (JBF 1998 Rising Star Chef).

SUNDAY, JUNE 4, 2023

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Get Roasted: Brew and Brunch Roasting Tour– Big Shoulders Coffee Roasting Works 2415 W 19th Street, Chicago, IL 60608

Journey through the world of specialty coffee through the eyes of craft roaster Big Shoulders Coffee with co-founders Patricia Coonan and Chef Tim Coonan. The event will be a fluid, roam as you please, set up with fresh coffee and homemade brunch, live roasting demonstrations, a micro-lot pourover station, an espresso bar with latte art exhibition, coffee mocktails, draft cold brew and sparkling creations, craft beer from Alarmist Brewing, and Mimosas featuring our Sunny B. All guests will receive a bag of freshly roasted coffee to go.

A Culinary Crawl Through Logan Square Hosted by Doug Psaltis & Hsing Chen of Eat Well Hospitality Logan Square, Chicago

To celebrate the return of the James Beard Awards, Doug Psaltis and Hsing Chen of Eat Well Hospitality are organizing the second annual Logan Square Culinary Crawl. Guests can kick off the day with a Grecian brunch at Andros Taverna, where pastry chef Hsing Chen will include a selection of pastries inspired by James Beard. Stop by before or after a visit to the Logan Square Farmers Market just steps away. Spend the rest of the day exploring this neighborhood, which is home to several independent restaurants and bars. Stop by Bang Bang Pie for coffee and a classic pie inspired by James Beard, a specialty ice cream flavor from Pretty Cool Ice Cream or stroll over to Taqueria Chingón for a bite of al pastor or tacos. Begin the evening with Happy Hour at Daisies, plan for Sunday Supper of Asian American flavors at Second Generation, and cap off the evening with after-dinner drinks at Spilt Milk or The Meadowlark. No tickets or RSVP are required, though reservations at Andros Taverna, Daisies, and Second Generation are recommended to guarantee seating.

4 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Three Dots and a Decade: Award-winning Cocktail Bar Three Dots and a Dash Celebrates 10 Years 435 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60654 

Join Three Dots and a Dash as they host a lineup of bartenders from around the world for Three Dots and a Decade, celebrating their 10th birthday and the James Beard Awards. To mark the occasion, original cocktails from each of the bars will be available for a proper toast to ten. The participating bars include: Thunderbolt (Los Angeles, CA), Limantour (Mexico City, Mexico), Trailer Happiness (London, England), Friday Saturday Sunday (Philadelphia, PA), Navy Strength (Seattle, WA), Manhatta (New York, NY), Tiki Tatsuya (Austin, TX), Bar Leather Apron (Honolulu, HI), Handshake Speakeasy (Mexico City, MX), Blossom Bar (Boston, MA), and the Aviary (Chicago, IL). Tickets for Three Dots and a Decade are limited and start at $95, plus tax; each ticket includes 5 cocktails along with some tropical bites and musical entertainment.

4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

SUNDAY SEISIÚN with The Dawson & The Dead Rabbit - The Dawson 730 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654 

The Dawson welcomes NYC ‘World’s Best Bar’ winner The Dead Rabbit for a night of cocktails, Irish fare, live music and craic during the pop-up event. $1 from each specialty cocktail sold will directly benefit the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.

5:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.

Gaijin Matsuri – Gaijin 950 W Lake St, Chicago, IL 60607 

Complimentary cocktails, food, and live performances during a summertime party with friends.  Gaijin Matsuri will feature a evening of music, House of Suntory cocktails, carefully curated bites, and a special Japanese themed performance by the Japanese Arts Foundation. 

5 p.m. – 9 p.m. 

Stadium Chef Series – Wrigley Field - Wrigley Field 1060 West Addison Street, Chicago, IL 60613

In partnership with Marquee Development and benefiting James Beard Foundation, this dinner is an opportunity to gather and dine at historic Wrigley Field, at center field. Standing Reception followed by Family-Style Feast. This event is SOLD OUT.

Participating chefs:

  • Host Chef Matthias Merges, Folkart Management, Chicago
  • Wrigley Field Executive Chef David Burns, Levy Restaurants, Chicago
  • JBF Award Nominee Vince Bugtong, Abacá, San Francisco
  • JBF Award Semifinalist Thai Dang, HaiSous, Chicago
  • Chef Lamar Moore, Top Chef Alum, Bronzeville Winery, Chicago
  • Chef Chris Pandel, Swift & Sons, Chicago
  • Chef Ricki Ramirez, Big Star, Chicago
  • JBF Award Winner Sarah Stegner, Prairie Grass Cafe, Northbrook, IL
  • Chef Djibril Webb, Mordecai, Chicago
  • JBF Semifinalist Jonathon Zaragoza, Birrieria Zaragoza, Chicago

7 p.m. – 12 a.m. 

Hilton Presents Exclusive V.I.P. Takeover of Bernard’s at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago - Waldorf Astoria Chicago, Bernard’s 11 E. Walton, 3rd Floor, Chicago, IL 

Hilton is hosting a takeover event of Bernard’s at the Waldorf Astoria Chicago. At the event, guests will mingle with members in the industry. In partnership with Proof & Company, the recreation of several of the Company’s “World’s Best Bars” cocktails alongside Bernard’s drinks and hors d’oeuvres.

6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

JBF Greens x Frontier: 2023 Awards Weekend Happy Hour - Frontier 1072 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60642 

JBF Greens at Frontier for a happy hour in celebration of the 32nd annual James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago. The West Town tavern will open especially for JBF Greens to toast the 2023 Awards. Executive chef Brian Jupiter oversees Frontier, Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods, and Jup’s Soups. For the occasion, chef Jupiter will create a selection of hunted, farmed, foraged, and harvested bites inspired by what generations of pioneers ate and hunted on the trail. *70% of your ticket price will go directly to the host chef to support their business, while 30% will go towards the Foundation’s national programming that is rooted in advocacy, racial equity, sustainability, and women’s leadership for the culinary industry.

6 p.m. – 10 p.m. 

“Omakase” with Raj Parr Wine Pairings – Indienne 217 W Huron St, Chicago, IL 60654 

Chef Sujan Sarkar and the Indienne team host a special evening during James Beard Awards weekend in Chicago. Attendees will offered an Indian “omakase” featuring small plates that encapsulate and celebrate the regional flavors of Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Goa, and Jaipur, with an optional beverage pairing featuring wines from the Raj Parr portfolio. Vegetarian and non-vegetarian menus available. $90 per person, +$60 per person (with optional wine pairing).

SATURDAY, JUNE 3 – MONDAY, JUNE 5 

Saturday and Sunday: 3 p.m. – 11 p.m. and Monday: 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.

JBF Cocktail for a Cause at Bar Mar by José Andrés 120 N Upper Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL 60606

In celebration of the James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago, Bar Mar by José Andrés will donate a portion of proceeds from each Salt Air Margarita sold from Saturday, June 3 through Monday, June 6 to support the JBF Women's Leadership Fund. 

ONGOING

JBF@ORD Chef Series – O’Hare International Airport

This May, global restaurateur HMSHost is celebrating Chicago’s culinary scene as O’Hare International Airport prepares to welcome hundreds to the city for the James Beard Awards. Throughout the month, HMSHost and O’Hare will give those traveling to or through the airport the chance to meet James Beard Award-winning chefs, bakers, and brands, and taste some of their culinary creations.

  • May 9, 12 – 1 p.m.: Rick Bayless – Terminal 3, between H & K gates (near the University of Illinois logo)
  • May 17, 1 – 2 p.m.: BonAnno Vinters will be sampling the rosé it created exclusively for Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants’ Summer House – Terminal 2, near gate E1 (Butch O’Hare airplane space)
  • May 24, 1 – 2 p.m.: One Off Hospitality (Paul Kahan & Greg Wade) – Terminal 2, near gate E1 (Butch O’Hare airplane space)
  • May 30, 1 – 2 p.m.: Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants (Ozzie Ocegueda & Ben Goodnick) – Terminal 2, near gate E1 (Butch O’Hare airplane space)

Here Here Market’s The James Beard Chicago Alumni Box: Deluxe Edition and The James Beard Chicago Alumni Box: Sauce, Spice & Everything Nice Edition  

Bring the taste of Chicago home with Here Here Market’s The James Beard Chicago Alumni Box: Deluxe Edition ($78) and The James Beard Chicago Alumni Box: Sauce, Spice & Everything Nice Edition ($43). 

  • The Deluxe Edition brings Chicago's culinary talent to your house with a team of the city’s restaurant talent. The package includes Chef Sarah Gruenberg's Gnocchetti Pasta from Monteverde, Stephanie Izard's Chili Lime Chili Crunch from her popular This Little Goat line, Chef Darnell Read's Luella's Mix Popcorn, Zach Engel's Hazelnut Duqqa, and more.
  • The Sauce and Spice Edition includes Monteverde’s Garlic Salt & Lemon Pepper seasoning, Galit's hand-crafted blend of all of the good things you'd find on an everything bagel, now bottled and ready to use on just about anything, Wazwan's Garlic Serrano Mustard Achar, That Honey You Had on Your Cheese Board from All Together Now!, and This Little Goat’s This Little Goat went to Mexico everything crunch, a savory and nutty blend that adds textural dimension and a burst of flavors to anything you sprinkle it on, from fish tacos to ceviche. 

Comments

View Comments (0)