Encouraging people to understand and appreciate food.

Education is the key to fulfilling the James Beard Foundation's mission. In the realm of food, education takes many forms, some more obvious than others. There are cooking classes and wine tastings, of course, informative cookbooks and food writing, too. But we believe in the educative value of experiencing a special meal, of having a unique gastronomic experience. No matter how much we watch, listen, or read about food, we never really understand it until we have eaten and/or cooked it.

The James Beard Foundation's education programs include continuing education classes, guided tastings, readings, conferences, children's programs, scholorship opportunities for aspiring culinary students, and volunteer opportunities for current culinary students.

JBF Education News

Recipe Contest
Calling all chefs! JBF is partnering with the New York Coalition for Healthy School Food, the NYC Office of SchoolFood, and Candle Café/79 to develop recipes for healthy, plant-based, meatless entrées to be served in NYC schools. Send your recipes by November 30 and do your part to help put healthier foods on our kids' plates. Click here to find out more about the contest >>>

The Mildred Amico Scholarship
We are honored to offer the Mildred Amico Scholarship in appreciation of the achievements of our retiring Program Director, Mildred Amico. A former student and friend of the big man himself, Mildred volunteered to help out the fledgling Foundation formed after his death. She has since spent more than 20 years inviting the risen and rising stars of American gastronomy to cook in James Beard’s kitchen. Click here to make a donation >>>

Master Classes for Chefs
In partnership with the Gohan Society and Astor Center, our Master Class educational series is underwritten by the Jean-Louis Palladin Foundation and is specifically designed for experienced chefs to share information about all aspects of the culinary arts at an advanced level. These classes are open to JBF Professional members. Click here to find out more and to watch a video of our pilot class >>>

Wysong Family/James Beard Chef Guest Lecture Series
Broadmoor Technical Center has partnered with the James Beard Foundation to create this exciting series. This partnership enables students to experience America’s food heritage from the nation’s leading chefs. Each year Broadmoor will solicit the nation’s top James Beard Foundation chefs; inviting them to participate in their lecture/mentoring program. Each month, a guest chef will visit the school and present a formal James Beard Foundation dinner event for the Broadmoor Technical Center scholarship fund. Learn more >>>

James Beard Archive at NYU
The Fales Library at New York University has received 26 boxes of James Beard’s personal archives from the University of Wyoming. Restaurant consultant and JBF supporter Clark Wolf is organizing a fundraising campaign to help raise money to catalogue this important piece of James Beard’s history. Click here to learn how you can help >>>

Become a JBF Student Member for just $25!
Are you a registered student with a passion for food? Become a JBF Student Member today >>>