The biggest national event celebrating culinary arts is happening Monday: the annual James Beard Awards.
Named after and honoring Oregon chef and cookbook author James Beard, who was born in Portland in 1903, the awards are well-represented with Oregonian nominations this year.
James Beard had been a nationally-acclaimed chef and TV personality before he died at 81 in New York in 1985.
Dan Wynn, courtesy of the James Beard Foundation
The six nominees are:
Coquine, Portland — Outstanding Restaurant.JinJu Patisserie, Portland — Outstanding Bakery.Scotch Lodge, Portland — Outstanding Bar.Joshua Dorcak, MÄS, Ashland — Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific (This category includes Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington).Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro, Portland — Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific. Timothy Wastell, Antica Terra, Amity — Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific.
Oregon has the fourth most nominees by state, after Texas (13), California (12) and New York (12). The top three are unsurprising as states with large populations and respective food scenes, so Oregon’s standing is a testament to its culinary prowess.
Oregon is no stranger to big James Beard Award wins. Last year, Portland Thai restaurant Langbaan was named Outstanding Restaurant — a nationwide award.
FILE – Chef Akkapong “Earl” Ninsomteam (center) and his team from Langbaan pose for a photo with their James Beard Award for Outstanding Restaurant, June 10, 2024.
Huge Galdones / Courtesy of the James Beard Foundation
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Washington is also represented with three nominations this year:
Atoma, Seattle — Best New Restaurant.Archipelago, Seattle — Outstanding Hospitality.Jay Blackinton, Houlme, Orcas Island — Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific.
The 2025 James Beard Awards will take place in Chicago Monday night. The food and dining website Eater is hosting the official livestream.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.