The James Beard Foundation is searching for a new host city for its prestigious culinary awards after a decade-long run in Chicago, but local officials say they will compete to keep the awards in town.
Months after the organization extended its Chicago partnership for the James Beard Awards through 2028, the foundation on Wednesday launched a process giving cities across the country an opportunity to vie to host the ceremony from 2029 to 2033.
For the first step in the selection process, interested cities can bid to be in the running. The “formal request for information” is due Aug. 7 and will be followed by a request for proposals.
A decision on the next host city will be announced early next year, the foundation said in a statement.
“We’re deeply grateful to Chicago for a remarkable partnership heading into our 12th year next year, and for helping the Awards grow into the joyous, multi-day celebration they are today,” Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, said in a statement. “As we look ahead, we’re excited to hear from destinations — including Chicago — ready to champion this vital industry, and who recognize the essential role independent restaurants play in shaping a thriving future for America’s communities, economy, and culture.”
At the James Beard Awards in June, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson was keen on keeping the ceremony in the city. Johnson stressed that the awards, which have been hosted at the Lyric Opera since 2015, are an invaluable opportunity to lift up the city’s hospitality industry at a time when restaurants and food systems face challenges ranging from rising food costs to fear of immigration enforcement activity.
“Our palate here in Chicago is second to none — I believe keeping these awards right here in Chicago sends a powerful message to the rest of the country that we’re not going to flinch to anything that comes to disrupt what we know to be true, that everyone belongs,” Johnson told the Tribune while walking the red carpet ahead of the Restaurant and Chef Awards at the Lyric Opera. “This is a welcoming city and the best place to hold these types of awards.”
The Illinois Restaurant Association said Wednesday that it was aware the James Beard Foundation intended to evaluate future host cities as part of a long-term planning process, especially as Chicago’s current agreement ends in two years.
The James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards were first hosted in New York City. Those awards then moved to Chicago in 2015, followed by the James Beard Leadership Awards in 2018 and the Media Awards in 2022.
“The reason that matters is because obviously the James Beard Foundation felt we were doing a very good job,” Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, told the Tribune Wednesday afternoon.
Toia emphasized that besides the main award ceremonies, the city held close to 50 food and drink events the weekend of the James Beard Awards this year, which he said illustrates the city’s unmatched entrepreneurial spirit.
“I’m not sure any other city could pull off what we pull off each year,” Toia said.
The Illinois Restaurant Association works in tandem with Choose Chicago, the city’s tourism bureau, to coordinate hosting duties for the James Beard Awards.
“And here’s the other thing — I know I always say we’re the ‘culinary capital of the United States,’ but the point is we’re in the middle of the United States!” Toia said, questioning whether the event would draw as large of an audience if it moved out of a central location like Chicago.
Chicago will “of course” participate in the bidding process to host again from 2029 to 2033, Toia said.
In an email, a spokesperson for Choose Chicago said the agency looks forward to demonstrating why Chicago remains the premier destination for the awards.
“Our culinary scene is unmatched in its depth, diversity, innovation, and global influence,” Choose Chicago said. “We value our longstanding partnership with the James Beard Foundation and are excited about the opportunity to continue evolving and growing together in the years ahead.”
Through the years, the James Beard Awards weekend has consistently boosted Chicago’s economy, as well as given the hospitality industry a chance to shine as chefs, restaurateurs and culinary advocates from around the country experience firsthand what the city has to offer.
This year’s awards generated $8.3 million in direct spending, including James Beard Foundation operational expenditures to produce the event in Chicago and off-site spending by nonlocal attendees, according to data shared by the foundation. The direct spending generated a total economic impact of $17 million, which supported 175 jobs throughout the Chicago area.
Chicago has historically fared well at the awards, typically winning at least one medal each year, and is home to more than 50 previous honorees. This year’s sole Chicago Restaurant and Chef Award winner was Feld’s Jacob Potashnick, who was named Best Chef: Great Lakes. Other recent winners include South Side gem Lem’s Bar-B-Q, which was named an America’s Classic in 2025; Lula Cafe, which was honored for its outstanding hospitality in 2024, and Tim Flores and Genie Kwon of Kasama, who were named Best Chef in the Great Lakes region in 2023.
