James Beard Awards 2023: How to enter restaurants, chefs for recognition by deadline

The James Beard Foundation announced Tuesday that the entry and recommendation period for its 2023 awards is now open, giving a chance to recognize notable people who contribute to the culinary arts.

The James Beard Awards, the nation’s top culinary recognition, started in 1991. They have recognized restaurants, food and beverage professionals, writers, journalists and others in the hospitality industry.

Revolver Taco Lounge founder Regino Rojas, who operated Revolver in three Fort Worth locations, was among 20 nominees for best Texas chef in the 2022 awards. Fort Worth’s Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Food Restaurant earned the James Beard award in 1998.

The deadline to enter or submit a recommendation is Nov. 30 at 10:59 p.m. Visit the James Beard Foundation website to submit an entry or recommendation.

Ceremonies for the 2023 awards will be held in Chicago. The media awards are June 3, leadership awards are June 4 and restaurant and chef awards are June 5.

Dawn Padmore, James Beard Foundation vice president of awards, said in a statement that anyone is welcome to submit recommendations for the awards for restaurants, chefs and leadership.

Here are the categories for the 2023 awards:

James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards 2023

• Outstanding bakery.

• Outstanding pastry chef or baker.

• Outstanding wine and other beverages program.

• Outstanding bar and other beverages program.

James Beard Book Awards 2023

• Literary writing that includes memoir, biography, personal essays, culinary travel and culture with no more than 20% recipes. Physical book copies must arrive at the warehouse for review by Dec. 6.

• Food issues an advocacy.

• Baking and dessert.s

• Bread.

James Beard Media Awards 2023

• Personal essay with recipes.

• Personal essay without recipes.

• Beverages.

James Beard Leadership Awards 2023

• Sustainable foodways.

• Food security and access.

• Education and awareness.

• Labor and worker equity.

Texas restaurants that have won the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Award:

• Vera’s Backyard Bar-B-Que, Brownsville, 2020

• Perini Ranch Steakhouse, Buffalo Gap, 2014

• Irma’s Restaurant, Houston, 2008

• Louie Mueller Barbecue, Taylor, 2006

• H&H Car Wash and Coffee Shop, El Paso, 2001

• The Original Sonny Bryan’s, Dallas, 2000

• Joe T. Garcia’s Mexican Food Restaurant, Fort Worth, 1998