The Humanitarian of the Year Award is given to an individual or organization working in the realm of food who has given selflessly and worked tirelessly to better the lives of others and society at large.
Photo: Galdones Photography
The 2025 James Beard Achievement Awards will take place on June 15th at the Dalcy Event Hall in Chicago where the Humanitarian of the Year Award will be given. These distinguished honors recognize individuals and organizations making a profound impact on the food system through advocacy, sustainability, and community-driven initiatives. Celebrating those who use food as a force for good, the ceremony highlights leaders who are addressing critical issues such as food insecurity, equity, and environmental sustainability.
Awards Structure
There is no public open call for recommendations for the Humanitarian of the Year Awards.
Click here for more information on the Humanitarian of the Year Awards voting process.
The James Beard Awards consist of the following recognition programs: Media Awards (Book, Broadcast Media, Journalism), Restaurant and Chef Awards, and Achievement Awards which include: Lifetime Achievement, Humanitarian of the Year and the Impact Awards. The Leadership Awards were retired after the 2024 Awards cycle.
The Restaurant and Chef and Media awards are administered by independent volunteer members of the media, culinary, beverage, hospitality, and the broader culinary ecosystem.
The James Beard Foundation is introducing Beverage Awards categories over the next few years, with the goal of acknowledging the beverage industry in a more holistic way. For the 2025 Awards cycle, the Foundation is rolling out three new beverage categories under the Restaurant and Chef Awards: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.
GOVERNANCE
Awards Committee
Together and in consultation with the Foundation and its staff, the Awards Committee has oversight of and administers the James Beard Awards. The Awards Committee reviews and approves all prospective subcommittee members and judges; votes on the Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian of the Year Award; and reviews and approves all policy, eligibility and criteria changes put forth by the Subcommittees. Members include chairpersons of each Awards program, Board of Trustees members and at-large food, beverage, media and related industries.
Awards Subcommittees + Judges
Each Awards program is administered by an independent volunteer subcommittee, together and in consultation with the Foundation and its representatives. Each subcommittee administers their respective programs; they recommend and select new subcommittee members and judges. Subcommittees’ names are published on this website. Judges are invited to apply annually. Judges’ names are published on the website at the end of each cycle. Assigned categories are not revealed.
The James Beard Foundation and its Board of Trustees has jurisdiction over all Awards programs. Members of the Board of Trustees do not vote, except where indicated. Foundation staff do not vote. As appropriate and based on strategy alignment, the Board may direct the Awards Committee and the subcommittees to include or exclude any Awards category, or to modify, amend or replace the criteria applicable to any Awards category.
Click here to see the Awards structure and governance.
