2024 James Beard Awards Restaurant & Chef Nominees Unveiled, Event to Remain Hosted in Chicago Through 2028
Key keywords: James Beard Awards 2024, Chicago James Beard Awards extension, 2028 James Beard Awards host, James Beard restaurant and chef nominees, US culinary excellence awards, James Beard Foundation, Chicago culinary tourism, equitable culinary recognition
The James Beard Foundation officially released its full list of 2024 restaurant and chef nominees on Wednesday, alongside a landmark announcement that the annual awards ceremony will remain hosted in Chicago through 2028, extending a multi-year partnership with the city that was first launched in 2020. This year’s nominee pool spans 38 categories, including Best New Restaurant, Outstanding Chef, Outstanding Pastry Chef, and 12 regional Best Chef awards, representing chefs and establishments across 47 U.S. states and territories, marking the most geographically diverse nominee list in the awards’ 34-year history. Nearly 30% of this year’s nominated establishments are immigrant-owned, and 25% are located in rural or mid-sized markets that have historically been overlooked by national culinary awards, aligning with the foundation’s 2021 pledge to center equity and inclusivity in its selection process.
The decision to extend the ceremony’s Chicago residency through 2028 comes after three consecutive years of record-breaking success for the event in the city. According to data from the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the 2023 James Beard Awards weekend drew more than 2,500 visiting chefs, media members, and culinary industry leaders, generating an estimated $12.8 million in direct economic impact for local hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions. Foundation leadership cited Chicago’s uniquely accessible and diverse culinary scene as a core factor in the extension, noting that the city’s mix of world-class fine dining, iconic neighborhood street food, and immigrant-owned family establishments aligns with the awards’ core mission of celebrating the full breadth of American food culture.
Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson released a statement following the announcement, noting that the extended partnership will create more than 200 seasonal hospitality jobs tied to the annual awards weekend, as well as expanded funding for the foundation’s local culinary mentorship programs for youth from underserved Chicago communities. The 2024 James Beard Awards finalists will be announced on April 2, with the official awards gala taking place on June 10 at Chicago’s Lyric Opera House, followed by a post-ceremony tasting event featuring dishes from 50+ Chicago-based chefs and food artisans. Industry analysts note that a James Beard nomination typically drives a 30% to 50% increase in customer traffic for nominated restaurants in the 6 months following the announcement, with winning establishments seeing even larger long-term gains in national visibility and revenue.
Featured Comments
As a small-batch Mexican restaurant owner in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, we’re over the moon that two of our peer chefs in the area are nominated this year. Having the James Beard Awards stay in Chicago for another four years isn’t just a win for the city’s tourism board—it’s a chance for underrepresented neighborhood culinary spots that don’t get the same Manhattan or LA hype to get national visibility. I’m already planning a pop-up series tied to next year’s awards weekend to showcase our neighborhood’s food scene to out-of-town visitors.
As a food writer who has covered the James Beard Awards for the past 7 years, I think the decision to keep the event in Chicago through 2028 is such a smart call. Unlike coastal host cities that often prioritize fine dining only, Chicago’s food scene is incredibly accessible, from Michelin-starred tasting menus to $3 Italian beef sandwiches that are just as beloved by locals. This year’s nominee list also feels far more inclusive than it did 5 years ago, with more chefs from rural areas and immigrant-owned establishments getting the recognition they deserve, which aligns perfectly with the Foundation’s recent equity push.
I’m a chef based in Detroit, and I was absolutely shocked and honored to see my name on the Best Chef Midwest nominee list this year. Having the awards hosted in Chicago, a short 4-hour drive from my city, means my whole 12-person kitchen staff can come to the awards weekend without paying exorbitant coastal travel costs. It feels like the Foundation is finally centering the entire American culinary landscape, not just the two coasts, and that’s a game changer for chefs working in smaller markets across the Midwest and South.
My partner and I have run a farm-to-table bistro in rural Iowa for 8 years, and we were stunned to be nominated for Outstanding Restaurant this year. The James Beard Awards staying in the Midwest means we don’t have to spend tens of thousands of dollars we can’t spare on cross-country flights and hotel stays just to attend the ceremony. This residency extension sends a clear message that great food doesn’t only exist in New York, LA, or San Francisco, and that’s the most exciting news for the American food community in years.