On Monday, June 10, The James Beard Foundation announced its 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards winners, with the winners being celebrated at a live ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

In both the Outstanding Bakery and Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker categories, five nominees were selected. Among them were:

Outstanding Bakery (A baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations while contributing positively to its broader community.)  

  • The Burque Bakehouse, Albuquerque, NM
  • Gusto Bread, Long Beach, CA
  • JinJu Patisserie, Portland, OR
  • Mel the Bakery, Hudson, NY
  • ZU Bakery, Portland, ME

Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker (A pastry chef or baker who makes desserts, pastries, or breads. Candidate demonstrates exceptional skills and can be affiliated with any food business and does not need a brick-and-mortar presence. Candidates contribute positively to their broader community.)  

  • Susan Bae, Moon Rabbit, Washington, D.C.
  • Jesus Brazon and Manuel Brazon, Caracas Bakery, Doral and Miami, FL
  • Atsuko Fujimoto, Norimoto Bakery, Portland, ME
  • Crystal Kass, Valentine, Phoenix, AZ
  • Anna Posey, Elske, Chicago, IL

This year’s winner for Outstanding Bakery is ZU Bakery in Portland, Maine, while the Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker is Atsuko Fujimoto of Norimoto Bakery, also of Portland, Maine.

The following are other key awards handed out in this year’s James Beard Foundation awards:

Outstanding Restaurateur  

Erika Whitaker and Kelly Whitaker, ID EST (The Wolf's Tailor, BRUTØ, Basta, and others), Boulder, CO

Outstanding Chef  

Michael Rafidi, Albi, Washington, DC

Outstanding Restaurant

Langbaan, Portland, OR

Emerging Chef

Masako Morishita, Perry's, Washington, DC

Best New Restaurant

Dakar NOLA, New Orleans, LA

"Tonight, we raise a glass to the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Award winners for their phenomenal achievements," says Clare Reichenbach, chief executive officerof the James Beard Foundation. "These remarkable individuals embody the very essence of our Good Food for Good ethos, showcasing exceptional talent, unwavering dedication to their craft, and a steadfast commitment to elevating the industry. With their passion, skill and leadership, they are shaping our nation's dining landscape and setting a new standard for culinary excellence."

More of this year's winners can be found here.