Q&A: James Beard Foundation President Discusses Awards

May 5, 2011— -- Known as the "Oscars of the food world," the James Beard Foundation Awards is an annual event held in New York to honor the best chefs, restaurateurs, designers and food critics in the country.

Receiving a coveted James Beard award or nomination can be an incredible resume and publicity boost for chefs and restaurants.

The following is a question and answer session with Susan Ungaro, president of the James Beard Foundation. The awards will be held on Monday, May 9.

Question: "Anything new and exciting to expect at this year's James Beard Foundation Awards? Anything in particular that excites you, that you would like to speak to?"

Susan Ungaro: "It's hard to believe that this will be our fifth year celebrating the James Beard Awards at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall. Every awards show brings new talent and long-time stars of our food world together. Our co-hosts this year, Tom Colicchio, Traci Des Jardins and Ming Tsai, are a terrific trio of James Beard Award-winning chefs who are all well-known TV personalities. So anyone who buys a ticket to the show will get to see the best of our celebrity chef world on the red carpet and in the theater."

"What's new every year is our theme, which influences the delicious food and refreshments served at the gala reception following the show. This year we are celebrating our food world as The Ultimate Melting Pot. The over 25 chefs who are cooking for our gala represent our diverse culinary landscape. Just imagine a kind of world expo of tastings from America's great chefs whose cuisine has been influenced by immigrant roots, family traditions, international travel and passion for world flavors."

Question: "How do you think the awards became the "Oscars of the food world"? What do you think of that label?"

Ungaro: "Our foundation is proud of the fact that for chefs, restaurateurs and winemakers, winning a James Beard award is like an actor winning an Oscar or recording star getting a Grammy. Not only is our event a glamorous, food-star-studded event, but being named the "best" is also a career enhancer. So when the press compares us to the Oscars, we think they're right! But what's different is that anyone can buy a ticket to our awards, unlike the Oscars or Emmys! Just visit our website: www.jbfawards.org for details."

Question: "Can you explain how the foundation goes about selecting the nominees?"

Ungaro: "Our awards judging and selection process is overseen by an independent group of professionals representing all aspects of the industry -- from chefs and restaurateurs to cookbook authors and food journalists to restaurant designers and architects and more."

"The James Beard Foundation Awards consist of five separate areas of recognition: chefs and restaurant, books, broadcast, journalism and restaurant design and graphics. We also induct worthy individuals into our Who's Who of Food and Beverage in America, and convey two special recognition awards: one for lifetime achievement and one for humanitarian work. All the awards are administered by an independent volunteer committee of professionals in the food and media industry. Ballots are tabulated and handled by Lutz and Carr, an independent accounting firm. The results are final and kept confidential until awards night. More details on how each specific awards category are voted on and judged appear on our website."