The James Beard Foundation Awards are annual awards presented by the James Beard Foundation to recognize culinary professionals in the United States. The awards recognize chefs, restaurateurs, authors and journalists each year, and are generally scheduled around James Beard's May birthday.
The foundation also awards annually since 1998 the designation of America's Classic for local independently owned restaurants that reflect the character of the community.
1991 awards
The first James Beard Foundation Awards were presented on May 6, 1991, aboard the luxury liner M/S New Yorker, in a ceremony hosted by George Plimpton.
Restaurant and Chef Awards
Best Chef: California: Joachim Splichal, Patina; Los Angeles, CA
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic: Jean-Louis Palladin, Jean-Louis at the Watergate Hotel; Washington, D.C. Best Chef: Midwest: Rick Bayless, Topolobampo; Chicago, IL Best Chef: Northeast: Jasper White, Jasper's; Boston, MA Best Chef: Northwest:Caprial Pence, Fuller's; Seattle, WA Best Chef: Southeast: Emeril Lagasse, Emeril's; New Orleans, LA Best Chef: Southwest: Stephan Pyles, Routh Street Café; Dallas, TX Outstanding Chef: Wolfgang Puck, Spago; West Hollywood, CA Outstanding Pastry Chef: Nancy Silverton, Campanile; Los Angeles, CA Outstanding Restaurant: Bouley; New York, NY Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional: Robert Mondavi, Robert Mondavi Winery; Oakville, CA Outstanding Wine Service: Square One; San Francisco, CA Rising Star Chef: Todd English, Olives; Cambridge, MA Humanitarian of the Year: Bill Shore, Share Our Strength; Washington, DC Lifetime Achievement Award: M.F.K. Fisher
Book Awards
Cookbook Hall of Fame: The Food of France and The Food of Italy by Waverly Root
Cookbook of the Year: Cocolat: Extraordinary Chocolate Desserts by Alice Medrich
American Regional: Lee Bailey's Southern Food and Plantation Houses by Lee Bailey Americana: America the Beautiful Cookbook by Phillip Stephen Schulz Baking & Desserts: Rose's Christmas Cookies by Rose Levy Beranbaum Best Food Photography Cocolat: Extraordinary Chocolate Desserts, photographer Patricia Brabant Every Day Cooking: The Short-Cut Cook by Jacques Pépin Fruits, Vegetables & Grains: Pasta: Creating, Celebrating and Saucing by Constance Jones Health and Diet: The Art of Low-Calorie Cooking by Sally Schneider International: Please to the Table: The Russia Cookbook by Anya von Bremzen Single Subject: Susan Costner's Great Sandwiches by Susan Costner Special Occasions: Dinner Party by Jane Freiman Techniques: The Thrill of the Grill: Techniques, Recipes & Down-Home Barbecue by John Doc Willoughby and Christopher Schlesinger Wine & Spirits: The Wine Atlas of Italy: A Traveler's Guide to the Vineyards by Burton Anderson Writings on Food: Epicurian Delight: The Life & Times of James Beard by Evan Jones
1992 awards
The second annual James Beard Awards were presented on May 4, 1992, at New York's Lincoln Center, hosted by Phyllis George.
Restaurant and Chef Awards
Best Chef: California & Hawaii: Michel Richard, Citrus; Los Angeles, CA
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic: Patrick O'Connell, Inn at Little Washington; Washington, VA Best Chef: Midwest: Charlie Trotter, Charlie Trotter's; Chicago, IL Best Chef: New York City: Daniel Boulud, Le Cirque; New York, NY Best Chef: Northeast: Lydia Shire, Biba; Boston, MA Best Chef: Northwest: Barbara Figueroa, The Hunt Club; Seattle, WA Best Chef: Southeast: Mark Militello, Mark's Place; N. Miami, FL Best Chef: Southwest: Robert Del Grande, Café Annie; Houston, TX Outstanding Chef: Alice Waters, Chez Panisse; Berkeley, CA Outstanding Pastry Chef: Albert Kumin, Vie de Frances International Pastry Arts Center; Elmsford, NY Outstanding Restaurant: Chez Panisse; Berkeley, CA Outstanding Service: Union Square Cafe, New York, NY Outstanding Wine & Spirits Professional: André Tchelistcheff, Napa, CA Outstanding Wine Service: Bern's Steak House; Tampa, FL Rising Star Chef: Debra Ponzek, Montrachet; New York, NY Humanitarian of the Year: Gael Greene, Citymeals-on-Wheels; New York, NY Lifetime Achievement Award: Craig Claiborne