The Journalism Awards were established in 1992, and recognize pieces in English covering food- or drink-related content which were published or self-published.
Photo: Galdones Photography
The 2025 James Beard Journalism Awards will take place on Saturday, June 14th, at the Columbia College Chicago Student Center and will honor exceptional reporting, criticism, and storytelling in food media. Recognizing journalists who provide in-depth analysis, investigative reporting, and compelling narratives, these awards celebrate the writers and publications that deepen our understanding of food’s role in culture, politics, and everyday life. Whether uncovering industry trends, exploring culinary traditions, or holding the food world accountable, this ceremony shines a spotlight on the power of food journalism.
Journalism Awards Categories
Recognizes distinctive style, thorough knowledge, plainspoken prose, and innovative approach in a single article on alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.
Recognizes the work of an individual or team/group that demonstrates thought-provoking opinion and a compelling style on food- or drink-related topics. An entry consists of three examples of a regularly published column or newsletter, in print or online.
Recognizes discerning criticism or commentary that contributes to the larger discourse on food, drink, and related topics. An entry consists of three pieces that can include restaurant reviews, cultural critiques, or analyses that demonstrate thought-provoking opinion and compelling style.
The Journalism Subcommittee selects the Emerging Voice award winner, and the winner does not have to come from entries. This award recognizes a journalist or media outlet whose excellent work brings a fresh perspective to an important aspect of food culture.
Recognizes exemplary and comprehensive service journalism that relies on both critical voice and thorough research to bring a variety of dining options into perspective, whether in a single city, a region, or a country. An entry consists of a single piece, or a package of related components published in any combination of media.
Recognizes excellence for engaging writing and in-depth reporting in food and/or drink features. An entry consists of a single piece or a series by a single writer of up to three related pieces.
Recognizes excellence in food and/or drink writing, reporting, and presentation in a general interest site or print publication. Judges will evaluate each entry for overall breadth and depth of coverage. An entry consists of three exemplary pieces, plus a URL to the website’s food landing page or PDFs of three print sections in their entirety.
Books with recipes focused on the cooking or foodways of regions or communities located within the United States.
Recognizes excellence in food and/or drink-related health and wellness coverage. Entries explore a variety of topics that may include (but are not limited to) addiction, aging, chronic disease, diet, mental health, mind-body connection, nutrition, and reproductive health. An entry consists of one definitive article or a series of up to three related pieces.
Recognizes excellence in service journalism with a practical focus for the home cook. The award honors imaginative and substantive entries that use fresh, innovative approaches—both written and visual— to illuminate cooking methods, ingredients, and recipes. An entry consists of a single piece with at least one recipe.
Recognizes excellence in investigative reporting on environmental, political, business, or policy issues regarding food and/or drink. An entry consists of a single piece or a series of up to three related pieces.
Recognizes the work of an individual who engages readers through enterprising food and dining coverage in a specific region. Submissions must consist of three pieces that display versatility in form, such as reviews, profiles, cooking, quick hits, and hard news reporting. Pieces may be from different publications.
Recognizes a single article of exceptional literary merit on the subject of food and/or drink published in any medium. Entries for the MFK Fisher Award category can also be entered in another award category.
Recognizes exemplary storytelling through the use of photography within food culture. An entry is composed of images from one published piece that captures a visual narrative with skill, perspective, and style.
Recognizes excellence in an essay on any food- and/or drink-related topic without recipes. An entry consists of one piece that demonstrates a distinctive voice, point of view, and style.
Recognizes excellence in an essay on any food and/or drink-related topic with recipes. An entry consists of one piece that demonstrates a distinctive voice, point of view, and style.
Recognizes a single distinctive piece that brings to life the world of a chef, restaurateur, grower, producer, or other figure or group of significance to food and/or drink.
Awards Structure
Media Awards Open Call for Entries are conducted and require a fee of $85.00 per entry (waivers provided upon request). Winners and Nominees are selected from the entries.
Click here for information on the Media Awards Voting Process.
Chair, Rochelle Oliver, Founder and Managing Editor, islandandspice.com
Vice-Chair, Brigid Washington, Author and Food Writer
Steven Alvarez, Professor, St. John's University
Tracy Brown, Chief Content Officer, Chicago Public Media
Von Diaz, Writer and Food Historian
Zahir Janmohamed, Assistant Professor of English at Bowdoin College; Co-Founder of the Racist Sandwich Podcast
Maura Judkis, Reporter, Washington Post
Krishnendu Ray, Professor, NYU
John Yearwood, Editorial Director of Diversity and Culture, POLITICO
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.
