Braveheart Black Angus Beef to Sponsor James Beard Foundation Awards Gala Reception For Second Year

PERFORMANCE Foodservice and Braveheart® Black Angus Beef are taking center stage as an official sponsor of the 2016 James Beard Foundation Awards gala reception in Chicago on May 2. The event follows the ceremony for the prestigious restaurant industry awards, which recognize culinary excellence from across the United States.

Chef Lonnie Varisco of Performance Foodservice—Caro and chef Rich Smice from Performance Foodservice—Thoms Proestler will be preparing and serving Braveheart beef to approximately 2,000 guests at the black-tie reception immediately following the awards ceremony hosted by chef and food personality Carla Hall. The event will also feature more than a dozen former James Beard Award recipients showcasing dishes that highlight the diverse food scene across America.

"This is a tremendous opportunity for us to showcase Braveheart Beef to many of the top chefs and culinary professionals in the industry," said Dave Flitman, President & CEO of Performance Foodservice. "We are looking forward to showcasing the highest quality, PathProven™ Angus beef available."

The James Beard Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and further the Foundation's mission to celebrate, nurture and honor America's diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire.

This year more than 34,000 online entries were submitted in 21 categories. We are proud to announce that four of our customers were named as finalists:  

Outstanding Chef:
Sean Brock, Husk, Charleston, SC

Outstanding Pastry Chef:
Dolester Miles, Highlands Bar & Grill, Birmingham, AL

Best Chef Midwest:
Kevin Nashin, Sidney Street Café, St. Louis, MO

Outstanding Wine, Beer or Spirits Professional:
Sam Calagione, Dogfish Head, Milton, DE


 James Beard Foundation America's Classics Award:
Bully’s Restaurant, Jackson Mississippi