FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contacts:

Isaac Reichman, ireichman@choosechicago.com, (312) 805-9586
Stephen Crano, scrano@choosechicago.com, (312) 567-8505
Michelle Gonzalez, mgonzalez@choosechicago.com, (312) 259-5708

Extension includes today's James Beard Awards nominee event, offering an unmatched Chicago experience for the industry's most celebrated chefs and rising talent

Chicago, IL (March 31, 2026) – Today, as the official destination sponsor, Choose Chicago joined the James Beard Foundation® to announce that the James Beard Awards ceremonies will continue to be held in Chicago through 2028. First hosted in Chicago in 2015, the James Beard Awards are considered one of the culinary industry's highest honors, recognizing excellence in American food culture since 1990.

The extension was announced during this morning's ceremony revealing the 2026 Restaurant and Chef Award nominees and Achievement Award honorees (Impact, Humanitarian, and Lifetime Achievement), which was held in Chicago for the first time as part of the extended agreement. The live ceremony, which was sponsored by Choose Chicago, took place at The Wellsley and was co-hosted by Chicago restaurateur and James Beard Award Winner® Kevin Boehm of Boka Restaurant Group.

“Illinois hosts one of the most dynamic and diverse food scenes in the world, with a growing number of restaurants and chefs using their culinary skills to cultivate community and bring international interest to the table,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “The James Beard Awards showcase this rich talent on a global stage, and we are grateful that they will continue to call Chicago home and remain in our great state through 2028.”

“Chicago is one of the world's great culinary cities, and we are honored to continue hosting the James Beard Awards through 2028,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Our restaurants, chefs, and hospitality workers represent the creativity, diversity, and entrepreneurial spirit that define our city. Events like the James Beard Awards bring global attention to Chicago's neighborhoods, support local businesses, and celebrate the people who make our food scene so special. As the city which celebrated the most James Beard semifinalists last year, I cannot think of a better choice than Chicago to host this incredible event.”

“Chicago is proud to continue our partnership with the James Beard Foundation by hosting the awards through 2028,” said Kristen Reynolds, President and CEO of Choose Chicago. “This extension is a recognition of Chicago's extraordinary culinary community and the chefs, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals who make our city one of the great food destinations in the world. Chicago is Never Done. Never Outdone., and our culinary scene reflects that spirit every day—constantly evolving, innovating, and setting the standard for excellence.”

“We're thrilled that Chicago will continue to be the home of the James Beard Awards ceremonies through 2028,” said Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation. “The city's incredible independent restaurant community, diverse food culture, and central location make it well positioned to host a celebration of this scale. We're proud to extend our partnership with Choose Chicago and to keep building an Awards weekend that unites the national food community in one of America's great culinary cities.”

“As the proud host of the James Beard Awards, the Illinois Restaurant Association is excited for the Awards to remain in Chicago through 2028,” says Sam Toia, President and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association. “Chicago's culinary community continues to set the standard for excellence, and we are honored to help showcase our city's restaurants, chefs, and hospitality professionals on a national stage.”

The James Beard Awards ceremonies include several annual recognition events that take place in Chicago each year. In 2026, the Awards programming will begin with the Media Awards on June 13 at the Art Institute of Chicago, followed by the Impact Awards on June 14 at The Dalcy, and culminating with the Restaurant and Chef Awards on June 15 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, with an after party at Union Station.

The James Beard Awards have become a deeply ingrained part of Chicago's dynamic culinary scene. In addition to hosting the Awards for more than a decade, Chicago is home to more than 50 previous award honorees, including the 2025 winners for Best Chef: Great Lakes (Noah Sandoval), Outstanding Bar (Kumiko), and America's Classics (Lem's Bar-B-Q).

Tickets for the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards in Chicago can be purchased here (starting March 31 at 1:30pm ET). Tickets for the James Beard Media Awards will be available for purchase beginning May 6.

ABOUT CHOOSE CHICAGO
Choose Chicago is the official destination marketing organization responsible for promoting Chicago as a global tourism and meetings destination—the city that's Never Done and Never Outdone. Choose Chicago leverages the city's unmatched assets to enrich the community by attracting meetings, events, and more than 55 million annual visitors, generating over $20 billion in economic impact. o and tag #NeverOutdoneChi on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X/Twitter. For more information, visit choosechicago.com.

ABOUT JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION
The James Beard Foundation® (JBF) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to leading chefs and the broader culinary industry toward a new standard of excellence. Our guiding principle, Good Food for Good®, informs our vision of a vibrant, equitable, and sustainable independent restaurant industry that stands as a cornerstone of American culture, community, and economy, and drives toward a better food system. For 40 years, JBF has been instrumental in recognizing, amplifying, educating, and training the individuals who shape American food culture. Today, our mission comes to life through the prestigious James Beard Awards, industry and community-focused programming, advocacy and policy initiatives, and culinary events and partnerships nationwide—including at Platform by JBF® and the James Beard House in New York City. Learn more at jamesbeard.org, sign up for our emails, and follow @beardfoundation on social media.