{{Short description|American nonprofit organization}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=October 2019}} {{Infobox organization | formation = {{start date and age|1986}} | logo = James Beard Foundation logo (2019).svg | founder = Peter Kump | website = {{URL|jamesbeard.org}} }}
The '''James Beard Foundation''' is an American non-profit culinary arts organization based in New York City. It is named after James Beard, a food writer, teacher, and cookbook author.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jamesbeard.org/about|title=James Beard Foundation|website=James Beard Foundation|language=en|access-date=May 5, 2017}}</ref> The foundation's programs include guest-chef dinners, scholarships for aspiring culinary students, educational conferences, and industry awards. The foundation develops programs related to American cuisine and the broader culinary industry.
The James Beard Foundation Awards have been described as one of the most prominent awards in the food industry.<ref name="NPR">{{cite news |last1=MacMillan |first1=Tracy |date=May 2, 2016 |title=At Food World 'Oscars,' Category Sneakily Redefines All-American Cuisine |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/05/02/476493122/at-food-world-s-oscars-neighborhood-joints-join-in |access-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110183456/https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/05/02/476493122/at-food-world-s-oscars-neighborhood-joints-join-in |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mosley |first=Meghan |date=2022-02-18 |title=Oscar of the food world: Florence's Restaurant in NE OKC wins prestigious James Beard Foundation Award |url=https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-florence-restaurant-james-beard-award/39126571 |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=KOCO |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227194119/https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-florence-restaurant-james-beard-award/39126571 |url-status=live }}</ref>
== History == [[File:Susan Ungaro at James Beard Awards 2010.jpg|thumb|upright|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 venue for hosting culinary events for the general public and culinary press. The first such dinner was organized at the suggestion of Wolfgang Puck, who cooked for the event, as a fundraiser in 1987. Kump later established it as a monthly event.<ref>{{Cite web|title = Foundation History {{!}} James Beard Foundation|url = http://www.jamesbeard.org/about/history|website = www.jamesbeard.org|access-date = December 9, 2015|archive-date = November 23, 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151123194447/http://www.jamesbeard.org/about/history|url-status = dead}}</ref>
Leonard F. Pickell Jr. was nominated as president of the foundation in 1995.<ref>{{Cite news|title = CHRONICLE|url = https://www.nytimes.com/1995/10/05/style/chronicle-040401.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = October 5, 1995|access-date = December 9, 2015|issn = 0362-4331|first = Elaine|last = Louie}}</ref> In August 2004, shortly before the results of a three-month audit were to be announced, he resigned. He was later charged with fraud after it was found that he misused the foundation's finances for undocumented expenses.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/14/nyregion/expresident-of-foundation-held-in-theft.html|title=Ex-President of Foundation Held in Theft|last=Moskin|first=Julia|date=December 14, 2004|work=The New York Times|access-date=May 5, 2017|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Pickell later pleaded guilty to second-degree grand larceny and a $1.1 million theft.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/06/02/nyregion/the-new-chief-cook-and-bottle-washer-in-beards-house.html|title=The New Chief Cook and Bottle Washer in Beard's House|last=Finn|first=Robin|date=June 2, 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 11, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> As a result of the scandal and his indictment by the Attorney General's Office, board members of the foundation were asked to resign in January 2005.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/05/dining/james-beard-foundation-board-stays-for-now.html|title=James Beard Foundation Board Stays, for Now|last=Moskin|first=Julia|date=January 5, 2005|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 11, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In April 2005 Susan Ungaro, formerly editor-in-chief of ''Family Circle'' magazine from 1976 to 2005, was appointed president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/04/17/nyregion/metro-briefing-new-york-manhattan-new-president-for-foundation.html|title=Metro Briefing {{!}} New York: Manhattan: New President For Foundation|last=Moskin (NYT)|first=Julia|date=April 17, 2006|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 11, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Following the scandal, the foundation subsequently introduced changes including creating salaried executive roles, appointing auditors, and expanding its staff. The foundation reported financial losses under Pickell's leadership, and incurred significant 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.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Questions Linger for Beard Foundation|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/02/dining/02bear.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = May 2, 2007|access-date = December 9, 2015|issn = 0362-4331|first = Nick|last = Fox}}</ref>
In October 2007, Woodrow W. Campbell, senior partner at Debevoise & Plimpton, became chair of the board after the resignation of Dorothy Cann Hamilton, who had served since 2005.<ref>{{Cite news|title = An Early Departure for Beard Board Head|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/17/dining/17bear.html|newspaper = The New York Times|date = October 17, 2007|access-date = December 9, 2015|issn = 0362-4331|first = Julia|last = Moskin}}</ref>
During Ungaro's presidency, the foundation increased its income, expanded its culinary scholarship programs, and increased its membership base through a new online program. It also moved its annual James Beard Foundation Awards Gala to the Lincoln Center first, and then later, to Chicago. The James Beard Foundation's traveling national food festival was also launched.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/28/dining/james-beard-foundation-susan-ungaro-retiring.html|title=James Beard Foundation President Will Step Down|last=Fabricant|first=Florence|date=June 28, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 11, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
In 2018, Clare Reichenbach was appointed the foundation's new chief executive, succeeding Ungaro.Reichenbach's background is in marketing and consulting.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/29/dining/james-beard-foundation-ceo.html|title=James Beard Foundation Names New Chief Executive|last=Fabricant|first=Florence|date=January 29, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 11, 2019|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=The James Beard Foundation Names Clare Reichenbach as Chief Executive Officer |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180129005680/en/The-James-Beard-Foundation-Names-Clare-Reichenbach-as-Chief-Executive-Officer |website=BusinessWire}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=James Beard Foundation names new CEO |url=https://www.bakemag.com/articles/6107-james-beard-foundation-names-new-ceo |website=Bakemag}}</ref>
== Criticism == In 2023, the foundation faced criticism over their implementation of ethics policies for nominees for the James Beard Foundation Award.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Eng |first=Monica |date=2023-06-04 |title=Ethics investigations steal some spotlight at the James Beard Awards |url=https://www.axios.com/2023/06/04/james-beard-award-investigations-ethics |access-date=2025-11-10 |website=Axios |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=James Beard Foundation Announces Results of Policy Changes |url=https://www.foodandwine.com/news/james-beard-foundation-policy-changes |access-date=2024-05-25 |website=Food & Wine |language=en}}</ref>
== Programs == === Greens === James Beard Foundation Greens events are aimed at bringing New York City food enthusiasts under 40 together for culinary experiences and networking opportunities. Most events take place outside the foundation's West Village townhouse and across various locations around the city. The program was established during Ungaro's presidency to attract a younger audience.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304428004579353682747395554|title=New Home for Young Foodies|last=Blatter|first=Lucy Cohen|date=January 31, 2014|newspaper=Wall Street Journal|issn=0099-9660|access-date=August 2, 2016}}</ref>
=== Awards === {{main|James Beard Foundation Award}}
The ''James Beard Foundation Awards'' are annual awards presented by the Foundation to recognize achievements among chefs, restaurateurs, authors, and journalists in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/about |title=About JBF Awards | James Beard Foundation |publisher=Jamesbeard.org |access-date=December 13, 2018 |archive-date=May 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180516222837/https://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/about |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="foodwine2017">{{cite news |last1=Shen |first1=Maxine |title=Revealed: This Year's James Beard Foundation Awards Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists |url=https://www.foodandwine.com/news/2017-james-beard-foundation-awards-restaurant-and-chef-semifinalists-are-here |work=Food & Wine Magazine |date=February 15, 2017 |access-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-date=May 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516174430/https://www.foodandwine.com/news/2017-james-beard-foundation-awards-restaurant-and-chef-semifinalists-are-here |url-status=dead }}</ref> The James Beard Foundation Awards have been described by some media outlets as among the most prestigious in the food industry.<ref name="NPR">{{cite news |last1=MacMillan |first1=Tracy |date=May 2, 2016 |title=At Food World 'Oscars,' Category Sneakily Redefines All-American Cuisine |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/05/02/476493122/at-food-world-s-oscars-neighborhood-joints-join-in |access-date=February 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110183456/https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/05/02/476493122/at-food-world-s-oscars-neighborhood-joints-join-in |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mosley |first=Meghan |date=2022-02-18 |title=Oscar of the food world: Florence's Restaurant in NE OKC wins prestigious James Beard Foundation Award |url=https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-florence-restaurant-james-beard-award/39126571 |access-date=2023-02-27 |website=KOCO |language=en |archive-date=2023-02-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230227194119/https://www.koco.com/article/oklahoma-florence-restaurant-james-beard-award/39126571 |url-status=live }}</ref>
Award recipients are selected by a voting body of over 600 culinary professionals, including previous winners.<ref name=foodwine2017 /> Recipients receive a medallion engraved with the image of James Beard and a certificate from the foundation.<ref name="jbfpolicies">{{cite web |title=James Beard Award Policies |url=https://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/policies |website=James Beard Foundation |access-date=December 6, 2018 |archive-date=December 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207045514/https://www.jamesbeard.org/awards/policies |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="eater-young">{{cite web |last=Young |first=Melanie |title=How the James Beard Awards Began |url=https://www.eater.com/2015/5/4/8539409/james-beard-awards-history-early-years-melanie-young |website=Eater |date=May 4, 2015 |access-date=December 14, 2018 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215065759/https://www.eater.com/2015/5/4/8539409/james-beard-awards-history-early-years-melanie-young |url-status=live }}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Non-profit organizations based in New York City Category:Organizations established in 1986 Category:Arts organizations based in New York City Category:Culinary professional associations Category:1986 establishments in New York City