Andrew Zimmern at JBF Media Awards. Credit: Max Flatow

James Beard Weekend Honors Food Media Stars and Industry Changemakers

8 Minute read

15 Jun 2026

Paul Feinstein

Writer

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The James Beard Foundation recognized top writers, broadcasters, cookbook authors, and food-system advocates during a weekend of celebrations in Chicago.

Ahead of Monday night's Restaurant and Chef Awards, the James Beard Foundation spent the weekend celebrating the people shaping food culture both on and off the plate. The Foundation's Media Awards honored the year's standout writers, broadcasters, and cookbook authors on Saturday, while Sunday's Impact Awards recognized five organizations and leaders working to address issues ranging from immigrant rights and food waste to hunger relief and mental health support.

Hosted by Andrew Zimmern, the Media Awards brought together some of the biggest names in food media at the Art Institute of Chicago. The awards recognize achievement across books, broadcast media, and journalism, honoring work that explores food culture, identity, history, advocacy, and dining around the world. Among the notable winners were Hailee Catalano, whose By Heart: Recipes to Hold Near and Dear won in the General category; Ryan King, whose Heard Podcast: Become a Better Chef earned the Audio Programming award; Stanley Tucci's Tucci in Italy, which won for Travel Visual Media; and Netflix's Chef's Table: Legends, which took home the Docuseries Visual Media prize. In journalism, Los Angeles Times reporter Stephanie Breijo received the Jonathan Gold Local Voice Award for her coverage of Southern California food culture, while Robert Lopez of Capital & Main and the Los Angeles Times won for Investigative Reporting for his examination of child farmworker conditions in California. The ceremony also recognized broadcaster Pati Jinich and author Sallie Ann Robinson with Hall of Fame honors.

On Sunday, the Foundation shifted its focus from storytelling to advocacy at the annual Impact Awards luncheon at The Dalcy. Guests gathered for a multi-course lunch paired with wines from Gérard Bertrand Group as the Foundation honored individuals and organizations working to build a more equitable, sustainable, and resilient food system through policy, community support, education, and innovation. Now in its second year, the Impact Awards program recognizes changemakers whose work extends beyond restaurants and media into broader food-system issues.

This year's honorees included the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), a leading advocate for immigrant communities in California; the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, which supports affordable housing and operates the nonprofit JBJ Soul Kitchen restaurants; Senator Ben Ray Luján of New Mexico, recognized for his work on nutrition and anti-hunger initiatives; ReFED, a nonprofit focused on reducing food waste across the food system; and Southern Smoke Foundation, which provides emergency relief funding and mental health services to food and beverage workers nationwide.

The weekend's celebrations set the stage for the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards, which will be held Monday evening at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The ceremony is expected to draw many of the industry's biggest names as the Foundation honors the year's top chefs, restaurants, restaurateurs, and hospitality professionals.