You Can’t Win, If You’re Not Nominated
The James Beard Foundation’s open call for entry and recommendation period for the 2025 James Beard Awards officially has begun. You have until November 29, 2024, at 11:59 p.m. to get your nominations in. And, if you don’t know, the James Beard Awards recognizes exceptional talent in the culinary arts, hospitality, food media, and the broader food system and also recognize a demonstrated commitment to equity, community, sustainability, and creating a culture where all can thrive. This year is the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Awards. To mark this pivotal year, the Awards has introduced several developments including the launch of a brand new Impact Awards program and an expanded focus on beverages, with three new categories as part of the Restaurant and Chef Awards.
The James Beard Awards consists of four separate recognition programs—Media Awards (Book, Broadcast Media, and Journalism) and Restaurant and Chef Awards—as well as three achievement awards including Lifetime Achievement, Humanitarian of the Year, and a newly launched Impact Awards.
IMPACT AWARDS
The James Beard Foundation is pleased to present its Impact Awards, born out of the organization’s impact and advocacy work. This program, part of the Foundation’s Achievement Awards, honors changemakers in climate change, sustainability, equity, advocacy, and industry culture and practices. These awards will include an open call for recommendations, as well as input from an advisory council comprising nationally recognized food system and industry experts. Honorees will be chosen by the Impact Committee of the James Beard Board of Trustees. The Leadership Awards, first given in 2011, were retired in June 2024.
ADDITIONAL UPDATES TO THE 2025 JAMES BEARD AWARDS
Every year, the James Beard Awards subcommittees and the Foundation may make changes or additions to categories in order to reflect and capture current trends in the industry and to align with the overall priorities of the organization.
New expansion - Beverage Awards: To more holistically acknowledge the importance and full breadth of beverage—a vital segment of the culinary and hospitality industry—over the next few years, the Foundation will focus on building this program, introducing three (3) new categories that will be rolled out under the Restaurant and Chef Awards in 2025, in addition to the pre-existing categories for the Restaurant and Chef and Media Awards.
3 NEW beverage focused categories have been added
Best New Bar
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service
Pre-existing categories:
Restaurant and Chef Awards
Outstanding Bar
Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program
Media Awards
Book Awards - Beverage with Recipes
Book Awards - Beverage without Recipes
Journalism Awards - Beverage
Broadcast Media - criteria for categories has been expanded to include food or beverage-related content
Restaurant and Chef Awards categories with time eligibility changes:
As of the 2025 cycle, the following categories’ eligibility timeframes have been increased. These were reduced as of the 2022 cycle to address the impact of COVID-19 on the industry:
Outstanding Chef: Eligible candidates must have been working as a chef for 5 or more consecutive years
Outstanding Hospitality: Eligible candidates must have been in operation for 5 or more years
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Eligible candidates must have been working as a pastry chef or chef who makes desserts or breads for the past 5 years
Outstanding Restaurateur: Eligible candidates must have been in the restaurant business for at least 7 years
AWARDS SUBMISSION PROCESS
Deadlines:
Open Call for Entry closes Friday, November 29 at 11:59 p.m. ET. To begin an open call submission, follow the link here.
Awards Submission “How-To” Videos:
Visit our YouTube page to watch our James Beard Awards explainer videos including how to submit recommendations to the Restaurant and Chef Awards, entries to the Media Awards, and advice on crafting your impact statement.
2025 AWARDS WEEKEND CEREMONIES IN CHICAGO
The 2025 James Beard Awards dates are:
Media Awards: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Impact Awards (new program): Sunday, June 15, 2025
Restaurant and Chef Awards: Monday, June 16, 2025
For more information regarding the James Beard Awards, the policies and procedures of each program, and the Awards vetting and ethics process, please visit the James Beard Awards page.
