The James Beard Foundation is the most prestigious organizaton in the professional culinary world. Since 1986, the annual James Beard Foundation Awards honor the best chefs and restaurant professionals in the industry. Over 9,600 entries were received for the 2008 James Beard Awards.
RESTAURANTS AND CHEFS (NATIONAL)
- Outstanding Chef: Grant Achatz, Alinea, Chicago
- Outstanding Restaurateur: Joe Bastianich and Mario Batali, Babbo Ristorante e Enoteca, New York
- Outstanding Restaurant: Gramercy Tavern, New York
- Outstanding New Restaurant: Central Michel Richard, Washington
- Rising Star Chef: Gavin Kaysen, Cafe Boulud, New York
- Outstanding Pastry Chef: Elisabeth Prueitt and Chad Robertson, Tartine Bakery, San Francisco
- Outstanding Wine Service: Eleven Madison Park, New York
- Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional: Terry Theise, Terry Theise Estate Selections, Silver Spring, Maryland
- Outstanding Service: Terra, St. Helena, California
CHEFS (REGIONAL)
- Best Chef Great Lakes: Carrie Nahabedian, Naha, Chicago
- Best Chef Mid-Atlantic: Eric Ziebold, CityZen, Washington, D.C.
- Best Chef Midwest: Adam Siegel, Bartolotta's Lake Park Bistro, Milwaukee
- Best Chef New York: David Chang, Momofuku Ssam Bar, New York
- Best Chef Northeast: Patrick Connolly, Radius, Boston
- Best Chef Northwest: Holly Smith, Cafe Juanita, Kirkland, Washington
- Best Chef Southwest: Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson, Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder, Colorado
- Best Chef South: Michelle Bernstein, Michy's, Miami
- Best Chef Southeast: Robert Stehling, Hominy Grill, Charleston, S.C.
- Best Chef Pacific: Craig Stoll, Delfina, San Francisco
OTHER AWARDS:
- Humanitarian of the year: Francis Moore Lappe
- Lifetime achievement: Fritz Maytag
