All The Winners, No-Shows, and One-Liners from the James Beard Journalism Awards
By the time the last plate of Thomas Lent’s tender beef rib (with Brassica variations!) was cleared, the James Beard Foundation doled out medals in more than 40 categories for radio, video, books, and blogs. And while not everyone showed up — including some boldface winners like Anthony Bourdain and Ina Garten — those who did, like Blue Hill chef Dan Barber and the Washington Post’s Tamar Haspel had some of the night’s most moving speeches and zingers. Read those, and all the winning articles, below.
2015 James Beard Foundation Journalism Awards
2015 James Beard Foundation Publication of the Year
Gravy, a publication of the Southern Foodways Alliance
Dining and Travel
The India Issue by the editors of Saveur
Food and Culture
“The Toxic, Abusive, Addictive, Supportive, Codependent Relationship Between Chefs and Yelpers“ by Rebecca Flint Marx
Food and Health
“Against the Grain“ by Michael Specter who did not attend.
Food-Related Columns
“Unearthed“ by Tamar Haspel, who told the crowd. “My husband can totally take Dan Barber‘s wife,” Tamar told the crowd, after the Blue Hill chef was a little too effusive in glorifying his spouse.
Food Coverage in a General-Interest Publication
Food Politics, Policy, and the Environment
“The Quinoa Quarrel: Who Owns the World’s Greatest Superfood?“ by Lisa M. Hamilton who did not attend.
Group Food Blog
Home Cooking
“Cabbage Craft“ by Kathy Gunst whose Eating Well table screamed the loudest of the night.
Humor
“Giving & Thanking“ by Ben Schott. “I’m speechless, in that I don’t have a speech,” Schott told the crowd, before thanking Bon Appetit for giving him the opportunity as an Englishman to put Americans in their place.
Individual Food Blog
Orangette by Molly Wizenberg. Wizenberg left anthropology studies to pursue blogging, and noted her only dream when she got started was to one day become Dorie Greenspan‘s assistant. Even now, she still wants the job.
Personal Essay and MFK Fisher Distinguished Writing Award
“Life in Chains: Finding Home at Taco Bell“ by John DeVore who thanked his mother for the inspiration.
Profile
“Élite Meat“ by Dana Goodyear, who did not attend, but whose editor accepted on her behalf. “I’m not Dana because I’m not blonde,” her editor joked, while also humble noting “Food is not a high priority at The New Yorker.”
Visual Storytelling
“Make“ by Gillian Duffy, who’s waited 30 years to win an award.
Wine, Spirits, and Other Beverages
“Into the Vines” by Gabrielle Hamilton, who did not attend.
Craig Claiborne Distinguished Restaurant Review Award
“Artisanal-Everything Roberta’s Defies the Stereotypes,” “Once an Icon, Per Se is Showing its Age,” and “Six Reasons Why Cosme is One of NYC’s Most Relevant New Restaurants“ by Ryan Sutton who did not attend, and whose editor accepted on his behalf.
2015 James Beard Foundation Broadcast and New Media Awards
Podcast
The Feed Podcast by hosts Rick Bayless and Steve Dolinsky, who described their show as a “kneejerk reaction to terrestrial radio.”
Radio Show/Audio Webcast
Hidden Kitchens World hosted by The Kitchen Sisters, who thanked all the world’s secret and dissident kitchens.
Special/Documentary
Food Chains hosted by Forest Whitaker, who did not attend. The producer accepted, saying this was the easiest part of the easiest job on the film.
Television Program, In Studio or Fixed Location
Martha Stewart’s Cooking School hosted by Martha Stewart, whose presence received the most cellphone pics of the night.
Television Program, On Location
The Mind of a Chef hosted by Anthony Bourdain, who did not attend. Zero Point Zero accepted on his behalf.
Television Segment
CBS This Morning‘s “The Dish” hosted by Anthony Mason and Vinita Nair
Video Webcast, Fixed Location and/or Instructional
ChefSteps hosted by Grant Lee Crilly and Chris Young
Video Webcast, On Location
food.curated hosted and produced by Liza de Guia, who beamed how her film on the baker behind Jersey City’s Razza could shine a national spotlight on a small town pizzeria’s business.
Visual and Technical Excellence
Wall of Fire: A ChefSteps Story hosted by Grant Lee Crilly and Chris Young
Outstanding Personality/Host
Ina Garten, host of Barefoot Contessa: Back to Basics, who did not attend.
2015 James Beard Foundation Book Awards
2015 James Beard Foundation Cookbook Hall of Fame
Barbara Kafka, the microwave cooking pioneer, whose husband accepted on her behalf.
International Cookbook and 2015 James Beard Foundation Cookbook of the Year Award
Yucatán by David Sterling, who is obsessed with the Amazon rankings of his 6.5 pound, 576-page tome that was inspired by a meal of smoky pork belly on the Mexican peninsula.
American Cooking
Heritage by Sean Brock
Baking and Dessert
Flavor Flours: A New Way to Bake with Teff, Buckwheat, Sorghum, Other Whole & Ancient Grains, Nuts & Non-Wheat Flours by Alice Medrich who did not attend.
Beverage
Liquid Intelligence: The Art and Science of the Perfect Cocktail by Dave Arnold. Arnold said this is his first award for anything ever, and he thanked his wife for translating his book from “gobbledygook to English.”
Cooking from a Professional Point of View
Bar Tartine: Techniques & Recipes by Nicolaus Balla and Cortney Burns
Focus on Health
Cooking Light Mad Delicious: The Science of Making Healthy Food Taste Amazing by Keith Schroeder, who told the story of being discovered while scooping ice cream at Food Blog South.
General Cooking
The Kitchen Cookbook: Recipes, Kitchens & Tips to Inspire Your Cooking by Faith Durand and Sara Kate Gillingham who were the only winners to thank the other people nominated in their category, adding “any book… that helps make one person to make a meal they otherwise wouldn’t, is a contribution to healing and peace in world.”
Photography
In Her Kitchen: Stories and Recipes from Grandmas Around the World by Gabriele Galimberti who did not attend.
Reference and Scholarship
Butchering Poultry, Rabbit, Lamb, Goat, and Pork: The Comprehensive Photographic Guide to Humane Slaughtering and Butchering by Adam Danforth, who was most grateful for “alcohol and beta blockers.”
Single Subject
Bitter: A Taste of the World’s Most Dangerous Flavor, with Recipes by Jennifer McLagan who did not attend.
Vegetable Focused and Vegetarian
At Home in the Whole Food Kitchen: Celebrating the Art of Eating Well by Amy Chaplin, who spent 2.5 years writing the book.
Writing and Literature
The Third Plate: Field Notes on the Future of Food by Dan Barber. “I represent two of the five worst guys to be married to,” Barber said, having read a list that ranked low writers and chefs, before thanking his wife for both her love and discipline.
Have a tip we should know? tips@mediaite.com