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James Beard Foundation

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James Beard Foundation
Formation1986; 39 years ago (1986)
FounderPeter Kump
Websitejamesbeard.org

The James Beard Foundation is an American non-profit culinary arts organization based in New York City. It was named after James Beard, a food writer, teacher, and cookbook author.[1] Its programs include guest-chef dinners to scholarships for aspiring culinary students, educational conferences, and industry awards. In the spirit of James Beard's legacy, the foundation creates programs that help educate people about American cuisine, and supports and promotes the chefs and other industry professionals.

The James Beard Foundation Awards have been likened to the Academy Awards of the food world due to its prestige and recognition.[2][3]

History

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James Beard Foundation President Susan Ungaro interviewed at the James Beard Foundation Awards 2010

The foundation was started in 1986 by Peter Kump, a former student of James Beard who also founded the Institute of Culinary Education. At Julia Child's suggestion, Kump purchased Beard's New York brownstone townhouse at 167 West 12th Street in Greenwich Village and preserved it as a gathering place where the general public and press alike would be able to appreciate the talents of established and emerging chefs. The first such dinner was at the suggestion of Wolfgang Puck in 1987. Puck cooked a dinner to raise money and Kump later established it as a monthly event.[4]

Leonard F. Pickell Jr. was nominated as president of the foundation in 1995.[5] In August 2004, shortly before the results of a three-month audit were to be announced, he resigned. He was charged with fraud in late September, having misused the foundation's finances for unnecessary and undocumented expenses.[6] Pickell later pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny and a $1.1 million theft.[7] As a result of the scandal and his indictment by the Attorney General's Office, the members of the board of the foundation were asked to resign in January 2005.[8]

In April of that year Susan Ungaro, formerly editor-in-chief of Family Circle magazine from 1976 to 2005, was appointed the new president.[9] Following the scandal, the foundation also made changes such as creating a salary for the president, CFO, auditors and a larger staff. The foundation lost about $1 million under Pickell's leadership, and paid approximately $750,000 in legal and accounting fees. Sponsorships, donations, and event revenues also dropped after the scandal broke prompting the foundation to take out a $2 million mortgage on the Beard home, the only asset.[10]

In October 2007, the board announced that Woodrow W. Campbell, senior partner at Debevoise & Plimpton, would be taking over chairmanship of the board after the resignation of Dorothy Cann Hamilton who served since 2005.[11]

During her presidency, Susan Ungaro increased the organization's income, tripling it to roughly $12 million, with a $400,000 surplus. She also expanded the foundation's culinary scholarship program; increased its membership base with a new online enrollment program; moved the annual James Beard Foundation Awards Gala to Lincoln Center and then Chicago; and hosted the James Beard Foundation's traveling national food festival.[12]

In 2018, Clare Reichenbach was unanimously selected by the board as the foundation's new chief executive, replacing Susan Ungaro. Reichenbach's background is in marketing and consulting, rather than food.[13][14][15]

Criticism

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In fall 2023, the foundation came under fire for disproportionate representation of white males.[16]

Programs

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Greens

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James Beard Foundation Greens events are for New York City food lovers under 40 to experience various culinary experiences and network. Most events take place outside the foundation's West Village townhouse and various locations around the city. Founded during Susan Ungaro's tenure as president of the foundation, the organization hopes to continue attracting younger audiences through these events.[17]

Awards

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Main article: James Beard Foundation Award

The James Beard Foundation Awards are annual awards presented by the James Beard Foundation to recognize chefs, restaurateurs, authors and journalists in the United States.[18][19] The James Beard Foundation Awards have been likened to the Academy Awards of the food world due to its prestige and recognition.[2][20]

The awards are voted on by more than 600 culinary professionals, including previous award winners.[19] Recipients receive a medallion etched with the image of James Beard and a certificate from the foundation.[21][22]

References

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  1. ^ "James Beard Foundation". James Beard Foundation. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  2. ^ a b MacMillan, Tracy (May 2, 2016). "At Food World 'Oscars,' Category Sneakily Redefines All-American Cuisine". NPR. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  3. ^ Mosley, Meghan (February 18, 2022). "Oscar of the food world: Florence's Restaurant in NE OKC wins prestigious James Beard Foundation Award". KOCO. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "Foundation History | James Beard Foundation". www.jamesbeard.org. Archived from the original on November 23, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  5. ^ Louie, Elaine (October 5, 1995). "CHRONICLE". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  6. ^ Moskin, Julia (December 14, 2004). "Ex-President of Foundation Held in Theft". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 5, 2017.
  7. ^ Finn, Robin (June 2, 2006). "The New Chief Cook and Bottle Washer in Beard's House". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  8. ^ Moskin, Julia (January 5, 2005). "James Beard Foundation Board Stays, for Now". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  9. ^ Moskin (NYT), Julia (April 17, 2006). "Metro Briefing | New York: Manhattan: New President For Foundation". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  10. ^ Fox, Nick (May 2, 2007). "Questions Linger for Beard Foundation". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  11. ^ Moskin, Julia (October 17, 2007). "An Early Departure for Beard Board Head". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  12. ^ Fabricant, Florence (June 28, 2017). "James Beard Foundation President Will Step Down". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  13. ^ Fabricant, Florence (January 29, 2018). "James Beard Foundation Names New Chief Executive". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved June 11, 2019.
  14. ^ "The James Beard Foundation Names Clare Reichenbach as Chief Executive Officer". BusinessWire.
  15. ^ "James Beard Foundation names new CEO". Bakemag.
  16. ^ "James Beard Foundation Announces Results of Policy Changes". Food & Wine. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
  17. ^ Blatter, Lucy Cohen (January 31, 2014). "New Home for Young Foodies". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  18. ^ "About JBF Awards | James Beard Foundation". Jamesbeard.org. Archived from the original on May 16, 2018. Retrieved December 13, 2018.
  19. ^ a b Shen, Maxine (February 15, 2017). "Revealed: This Year's James Beard Foundation Awards Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists". Food & Wine Magazine. Archived from the original on May 16, 2019. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
  20. ^ Mosley, Meghan (February 18, 2022). "Oscar of the food world: Florence's Restaurant in NE OKC wins prestigious James Beard Foundation Award". KOCO. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  21. ^ "James Beard Award Policies". James Beard Foundation. Archived from the original on December 7, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
  22. ^ Young, Melanie (May 4, 2015). "How the James Beard Awards Began". Eater. Archived from the original on December 15, 2018. Retrieved December 14, 2018.
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