Request for Information: Submissions are now open to become the next host destination of the James Beard Awards®.
Photo: Eliesa Johnson
Since the first ceremony in 1991, the James Beard Awards® have been among the nation’s most prestigious food honors. Each year, the Awards recognize culinary excellence, celebrating chefs, restaurateurs, media, and food system leaders who are shaping America’s food culture.
The James Beard Awards are made up of three programs dedicated to honoring the best in American food: the Restaurant and Chef Awards, the Media Awards, and the Impact Awards. Hosting the James Beard Awards represents an opportunity for a city and region to showcase its culinary identity on the national stage, drive tourism, and elevate its brand as a food destination.
Beginning on July 15, 2026, the James Beard Foundation is inviting U.S destinations to submit RFI (request for information) responses to host the James Beard Awards beginning in 2029 through 2033. RFI responses are the first step in a two-part process and submissions will close on August 7, 2026.
Destinations that have submitted RFIs will be considered for selection to move on to the second stage of the process, which is to complete a more extensive and detailed RFP (request for proposal) response. RFI respondents will be notified on August 17, 2026 if they have been selected to submit an RFP response.
A final location selection will be announced in early 2027.
The timeline for the RFI/RFP process is:
RFI Issued: July 15, 2026
RFI Responses Due: August 7, 2026 by 5 P.M. ET
RFP Issued: August 17, 2026
RFP Responses Due: September 30, 2026 by 5 P.M. ET
RFP Evaluations: Oct 1, 2026 - December 31, 2026
Destination Announcement: Early 2027
Questions? Please email us at rfi@jamesbeard.org.
Economic and Media Impact
The 2026 James Beard Awards had a $17 million impact on its host city Chicago and the greater Chicago area. This included:
- $8.3 million in direct spending
- 175 FTE jobs supported
- $1.2 million in state and local tax revenue
Source: Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics Company
As of June 25, 2026, the 2026 Awards cycle generated 7,300+ pieces of coverage and nearly 140 billion impressions, reaching audiences through national, regional, and local outlets.
Source: MMGY Wagstaff/James Beard Foundation
FAQs
With the current destination host city contract up for renewal after 2028, the time is right for the James Beard Foundation to explore its options and consider new opportunities to continue the growth and success of the James Beard Awards and its surrounding events for 2029 through 2033.
The host destination must host the James Beard Awards consecutively from 2029 through 2033.
The James Beard Awards weekend must occur in May or June each year.
Yes. The RFI is open to all U.S. destinations who wish to apply. After the RFI process, JBF will notify the destinations selected to move on to the RFP (request for proposal) process.
The RFI is being issued on July 15, 2026. All responses are online and are due by 5 P.M. EDT on Friday, August 7, 2026. Destinations selected to move on to the RFP process will be notified on or after August 17, 2026.
Yes. All questions must be submitted by email to rfi@jamesbeard.org between 8 A.M. EDT on Wednesday, July 15 and 11 P.M. EDT on Monday, July 27, 2026. All responses will be by email.
There must be one lead organization and one primary contact for all host destination applicants. However, partnerships and consortium responses are welcome, including regional and state collaborations.
Yes. However, a detailed financial plan is not required for the RFI. A funding proposal that shows how your destination would deliver financial support will be required to be submitted during the RFP stage of the process.
Yes, you can save your application while it’s in process.
Once an RFI response has been submitted, it is final.
There are no site visits, presentations, or interviews as part of the RFI process. These will be part of the RFP process for destinations selected to continue on to that phase of the process.
The criteria for evaluation throughout the RFI and RFP process include:
- Ethos and mission alignment
- Financial commitment and structure
- Event delivery capacity and capabilities