A message about Covid-19

The James Beard Foundation recognizes the dire situation the food and beverage community is in due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

In recognition of the long-term support needed by independent, locally owned restaurants to remain a vital part of their communities, the James Beard Foundation has committed its full staff and programs for the next 12-18 months to Open For Good, a campaign to support the recovery and rebuilding of an independent restaurant industry that is stronger than ever. We hope you’ll support—at any level you can—to help these important community institutions survive. 

We are closely monitoring updates from the Center for Disease Control, World Health Organization, and federal and local governments, and we are taking precautionary measures to ensure the safety and well-being of our staff, members, guests, chefs, and partners as we learn more about COVID-19 (Coronavirus).

 

Industry Programming

We have postponed all in-person industry programming and events, but have developed industry resources. Please sign up for our industry advocacy newsletter for regular updates and information to support and re-open restaurants around the country.

  • Industry support webinars: The James Beard Foundation is hosting webinars on varying—but relevant—topics, to help provide resources for the hospitality industry and to better stay connected. These webinars are recorded, and past recordings can be found on the bottom of that page.

  • Chef advocacy toolkit: With the support and feedback from chefs and culinary organizations across the country, the Foundation has created this toolkit to help the restaurant community advocate for the relief necessary for small businesses to survive. 

  • How the Restaurant Industry is Responding to COVID-19: This page includes and is often updated with resources for diners, restaurateurs, and chefs.

  • Sobriety, mental health, and wellbeing resources and reading: We wanted to highlight organizations, groups, and resources that are working widely, as well as specifically within the food community, on issues around sobriety and mental health. 


Membership Inquiries and Benefits

The James Beard Foundation office is currently closed and staff is working remotely. Therefore, there may be a delay in processing your memberships, responding to general inquiries, and fulfilling gift certificate orders. While we are currently unable to distribute physical member cards and gift certificates, you can request a digital version in the meantime by email.


James Beard Awards

The 2020 James Beard Awards are postponed. Click here for the latest updates and to sign up for the Awards newsletter.


James Beard House and Virtual Events

Due to health and safety concerns and considerations regarding limiting the travel of the chef teams who come to cook at the James Beard House and the communities they return to, we have decided to postpone all scheduled James Beard House dinners until further notice. Click here for information on upcoming virtual James Beard Foundation events.


Taste America and National Events 

We are postponing all Taste America and other James Beard Foundation national events and dinners and will be working with the chefs and local planners to reschedule these events. Sign up for the Events newsletter for updates.
 

CDC Updates

Please also refer to the CDC website for information on COVID-19 related travel, event queries, and virus prevention: