ABC NEWS
The results are in from the 2023 James Beard Awards, which celebrated an expansive pool of diverse and talented chefs, restaurateurs, beverage directors and others from across the country, earning the Foundation's highest honors in American hospitality.
"Congratulations to the exceptional winners of this year's Restaurant and Chef Awards, whose incredible achievements and dedication to culinary excellence have left an indelible mark on our industry," Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, said before the culinary crowd on Monday night at the Lyric Opera in Chicago. "As we celebrate, it's important to acknowledge the significant work that these accomplished restaurants and chefs have done to push American food culture forward using their immense creativity, passion and talent to create extraordinary experiences on behalf of others."
First-time winners spanned the national category from Honolulu to Kansas City, Missouri, to the Windy City itself, where the awards were held.
Chef Vallejo became the first James Beard Award winner from Puerto Rico with her win in the best chef: South category.
