James Beard had a culinary vision well before cooking and dining out was as prevalent as it is today. Chef Beard was an educator, author, television celebrity, and friend to an abundance of professionals in the food industry, and he awakened people in the U. S. to the pleasures of food. He passed away in 1985 at the age of eighty-one, leaving his mark on the culinary scene. The James Beard Foundation has furthered his legacy by organizing educational programs, supporting the hospitality industry, and offering outstanding dining experiences in the place that he called home on West 12th Street. As far back as 1987, when Wolfgang Puck was invited to prepare a meal for guests, the best and brightest chefs from around the country have been preparing dishes in his kitchen. Impeccably presented, multi-course meals were served in what was once Chef Beard’s living room, and after dessert, the chef du jour discussed the finer points of their craft with those who enjoyed the fruits of their labor. In this way, the Foundation has “positioned the exploration of gastronomy as an art form and made stars of its practitioners in the process, ” said Director of Programming Izabela Wojcik. Throughout the pandemic, the Foundation was busy reevaluating its purpose. Recognizing that it was a pinnacle of the food world, it shifted gears to become a critical asset to the industry. Through its new program, Open For Good, it attempts to assist restaurateurs to not only survive but also build a more equitable and sustainable business that empowers them to thrive in the future. Today, the Foundation is devoted to acting as “a convener, thought leader, and advocate for the people behind America’s rich food culture. ”
