The Seattle-based James Beard Foundation Award nominees will not be competing for the top prize in their category this year.

The James Beard Foundation just announced that its annual Awards program will not present winners at its September 25 event. This is the first time a move affecting James Beard Foundation award winners like this has been made in its 30-year history. In addition, the Foundation also announced that the 2021 Award presentation will also not take place.

The September 25 ceremony will be broadcast live via Twitter from the host city of Chicago. Although not all categories will be recognized, honorees previously announced will be celebrated. Those categories include America’s Classics, Lifetime Achievement, Humanitarian of the Year, Design Icon, and Leadership Awards.

The Foundation cited the negative effects COVID-19 has had on restaurants. The James Beard Foundation also provided some insight into their process moving forward. 

Working with an outside social justice agency, the James Beard Foundation intends to overhaul its policies and procedures for the Awards. Their aim is to remove any systemic bias and to increase the diversity of the pool of candidates.

As noted previously there were several Seattle-base chefs and restaurants nominated for a 2020 JBF Award. Those standouts include:

Best Chef Northwest

Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, Joule

Outstanding Hospitality

Canlis

Best Restaurant Design

Rupee Bar

Other James Beard Foundation award categories that will be missing in the 2020 ceremony include:
Best New Restaurant 
Outstanding Baker 
Outstanding Bar Program 
Outstanding Chef 
Outstanding Hospitality 
Outstanding Restaurant 
Outstanding Restaurateur  
Outstanding Wine Program 
Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Producer
Rising Star Chef of the Year 
Best Chef: California 
Best Chef: Great Lakes (IL, IN, MI, OH)
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (D.C., DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)
Best Chef: Midwest (IA, KS, MN, MO, NE, ND, SD, WI)
Best Chef: Mountain (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY)
Best Chef: New York State
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
Best Chef: Northwest & Pacific (AK, HI, OR, WA)
Best Chef: South (AL, AR, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, FL, LA, MS)
Best Chef: Southeast (GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, WV)
Best Chef: Southwest (AZ, NM, NV, OK)
Best Chef: Texas

The official announcement, along with comments from James Beard Foundation CEO, Clare Reichenbach, can be found here.