Richard Melman to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award; Michel Nischan is Humanitarian of the Year

Two big announcements from the JBFA team today: we've selected our 2015 Lifetime Achievement and Humanitarian of the Year honorees.

Accomplished Chicago restaurateur Richard Melman will receive this year's Lifetime Achievement award. As founder and chairman of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Melman oversees more than 100 restaurants nationwide, and has mentored countless chefs and culinary professionals. He is a highly admired leader within Chicago and across the country, with business practices and a personal philosophy that have served as invaluable models to others in the industry.

Our 2015 Humanitarian of the Year award will go to Michel Nischan. A chef and pioneering sustainability advocate, Nischan runs Wholesome Wave, an influential non-profit that teaches underserved consumers about healthy diet choices and fights for increased access to nutritious and locally grown food. He was the founder and chef of the former Dressing Room Restaurant, and also co-founded the Chefs Action Network.

Both honorees will accept their awards at the James Beard Awards on Monday, May 4, at Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Read the full press release here.

Anna Mowry is senior editor at the James Beard Foundation. Find her on Twitter and Instagram.