The James Beard foundation announced Monday it plans to postpone the announcement of this year’s James Beard Awards finalists. The announcement, originally slated for March. 25, will now come this summer. The delay is part of the foundation’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year, Omaha has two chefs nominated in the Best Chef: Midwest Category. David Utterback runs Yoshitomo and Ben Maides runs Au Courant; both restaurants are in Benson. An Omaha chef has never advance to the finals round of the awards.
The Beard foundation previously announced it would delay the awards ceremony, moving it from May to summer.
“The time will come to acknowledge and celebrate our industry but now, more than ever, our focus is to use our voice and platform as a resource for our community to face the current challenges that exist as a result of this crisis,” the announcement said in part.
The Foundation is surveying the industry to determine priorities for relief. The industry survey can be accessed here. For additional resources and information, visit the James Beard Foundation website.
The foundation plans to announce new dates on its social media once they are finalized.