James Beard was renowned for his vast knowledge and his huge Rolodex, both of which he shared with a generosity befitting his outsized personality. He connected people; he stayed on top of trends; he was an encyclopedia of food information. In short he was a one-stop resource for all things culinary.

Today, the James Beard Foundation serves as a resource for food lovers and food professionals alike. Whether you are looking for a Beard Award–winning restaurant in your neighborhood, or you’re searching for a recipe for succulent braised short ribs, we want you to think about coming to jamesbeard.org first.

The State of American Cuisine

The James Beard Foundation has issued its first white paper, "The State of American Cuisine," which asks whether an American cuisine exists and if so, how it can be defined. We surveyed the general public, JBF members, chefs, journalists, and academics to find out what they thought. Over 90% of those surveyed believe there is an American cuisine, but there was little agreement on how it is defined.

To learn more about American cuisine, download "The State of American Cuisine" white paper >>>