The top honours at America’s most prestigious culinary awards, which recognize remarkable skill in the food business, went to a recognized Indian-origin chef and an Indian restaurant in North Carolina providing “creative and inexpensive” street cuisine.
On Monday (13-06-2022), Chintan Pandya of the famed New York City restaurant ‘Dhamaka’ won the James Beard Prize for “Best Chef: New York State,” while ‘Chai Pani’ in Asheville, North Carolina took home the award for “Outstanding Restaurant” in the US, according to the news published by The Tribune.
The winners of the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards for 2022 have also been revealed.
The James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards were founded in 1990 and the first awards were given out in 1991, according to the organization. It is one of five honours programmes offered by the Awards.
“Among the nation’s most distinguished honours,” the James Beard Awards “recognize great talent in the culinary and food media sectors, as well as a demonstrated dedication to racial and gender justice, community, sustainability and a culture where everyone may thrive.”
Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, said the awards “recognize outstanding food and beverage professionals” as well as “honour our entire industry—and the incredible resilience, fortitude, talent and leadership so many have shown over the past two years” in the face of the COVID19 pandemic.
Pandya is one of the most well-known and acclaimed Indian chefs in the United States, with a string of successful restaurants and diners under his credit. The winner of the ‘Outstanding Restaurant’ award, ‘Chai Pani’ serves Indian street food from five-time James Beard-nominated chef Meherwan Irani.
As per online sources, Pandya claimed it’s “really astonishing and never anticipated that I’ll stand here at any point in life” during his acceptance speech at the awards ceremony.
