The James Beard Awards Are Moving To Chicago

By Lisa White in Food on May 20, 2014 1:55PM

Score another win for the Chicago culinary scene. The Tribune's Kevin Pang is reporting this morning that the James Beard Foundation Awards, what many consider one of the highest awards in the American culinary industry, will be moving their ceremony to Chicago in 2015. This would be the first time the ceremony would be hosted outside of New York City since the inception of the James Beard Awards in 1990.

Multiple sources confirmed to the Tribune that the awards will be held at the Civic Opera House next May. The Tribunes reports that the city is expected to make an official announcement later today. The Tribune also points out that in February Chicago tourism officials did confirm they were trying to "lure" the Beard Foundation Awards away from New York.

Chicago has consistently made a good showing at the ceremonies over the years with most top Chicago chefs and journalists holding honors from the foundation. This year top prizes were brought home by The Purple Pig's Jimmy Bannos Jr. and Next's Dave Beran. The city hosted the James Beard Awards finalist nomination brunch earlier this year at The Publican, which included a hearty welcome speech from Mayor Rahm Emanuel. So while this news is somewhat sudden it is no surprise given the good working relationship the city already has with the James Beard Foundation.