The annual James Beard Media Awards celebrate excellence in food storytelling through books, broadcast media and journalism. This year, the James Beard Foundation held the ceremony in The Theatre Building of Columbia College Chicago. Baltimore chef Cindy Wolf won her first James Beard award for Charleston restaurant after being nominated 24 times.

This Treme classic is being recognized for being "a cornerstone of Creole cuisine and Black American culture for eight decades."

Cat Cox, of Country Bird Bakery in Tulsa, won the award for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker at the 2025 Chef and Restaurant Awards hosted in Chicago.

Arjav Ezekiel's James Beard Foundation award represents the first time an Austin restaurant professional has won the prestigious national award for

Q scored a James Beard American Classics award.Why it matters: The honor may finally elevate Chicago on a national barbecue map that has long been dominated by Texas, Kansas City, Memphis, St. Louis and North Carolina.