An industry that has been vilified recently for the sexual misconduct of some of its most prominent chefs and restaurateurs started to redeem itself last week. While white males typically dominate the equivalent of the “Oscars for the food world,” nine of the 15 honorees recognized by the James Beard Foundation with major awards were women. Additionally, about half the nominees were women.
Whether the recognition was related to the power of the #MeToo movement or a response to the 2018 James Beard Awards theme of “Rise,” the industry stepped up to honor female chefs and restaurateurs. These are the women who rose to the top:
Gabriel Hamilton, Outstanding Chef; Prune
Dolester Miles, Outstanding Pastry Chef; Highlands Bar & Grill
Caroline Styne, Outstanding Restaurateur; The Lucques Group
Belinda Leong, Outstanding Baker; B. Patisserie
Nina Compton, Best Chef: South; Compere Lapin
Dominque Crenn, Best Chef: West; Atelier Crenn
Karen Akunowicz (pictured), Best Chef: Northeast; Myers + Chang
Missy Robbins, Best Chef: New York City; Lilia
Camille Cogswell, Rising Star Chef of the Year; Zahav
Photo credit: Huge Galdones