April 16--In an unexpected announcement, the James Beard Foundation said Thursday that Chicago will host its annual awards gala for two additional years starting in 2016.
Through negotiations with Mayor Rahm Emanuel's office, Choose Chicago (the tourism arm of the city) and the Illinois Restaurant Association, the nonprofit Beard Foundation broke protocol in venturing outside New York City for the first time, its 25th awards ceremony. That event is scheduled for May 4 at the Civic Opera House.
"Chicago has a rich history with the Foundation, delivering restaurant and chef winners 23 out of 24 years with more than 40 James Beard Award winners to date," Emanuel said in a statement. "We are so proud to be welcoming this most prestigious of events for two more years."
The foundation's journalism, broadcast and book awards, like this year, will remain in New York City.
(Disclosure: I am a voting member of the James Beard Foundation Awards.)
kpang@tribpub.com
Twitter @pang
