01of 14JESSE TYLER FERGUSONBen TrivettTheModern Familystar hosted the ceremony, which took place on Monday, May 6, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. “It’s one of my favorite nights of the year,” the star told PEOPLE of the awards, which honor the country’s best restaurants and chefs of the year.
01of 14
JESSE TYLER FERGUSON
Ben Trivett
TheModern Familystar hosted the ceremony, which took place on Monday, May 6, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. “It’s one of my favorite nights of the year,” the star told PEOPLE of the awards, which honor the country’s best restaurants and chefs of the year.
02of 14ZOOEY DESCHANEL, JACOB PECHENIK, AND ANDREW ZIMMERNBen TrivettTheNew Girlstar and her husband posed on the red carpet with Zimmern, who hosts Travel Channel’sBizarre Foods.
02of 14
ZOOEY DESCHANEL, JACOB PECHENIK, AND ANDREW ZIMMERN
TheNew Girlstar and her husband posed on the red carpet with Zimmern, who hosts Travel Channel’sBizarre Foods.
03of 14JOE FLAMMBen TrivettThe winner ofTop Chefseason 15, who heads up Chicago’s famous Spiagga restaurant, was all smiles before the ceremony.
03of 14
JOE FLAMM
The winner ofTop Chefseason 15, who heads up Chicago’s famous Spiagga restaurant, was all smiles before the ceremony.
04of 14TOM COLICCHIO & ASHLEY CHRISTENSENBen TrivettTheTop Chefjudge presented the coveted James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef to Christensen, who owns Poole’s Diner and several restaurants in Raleigh, N.C.
04of 14
TOM COLICCHIO & ASHLEY CHRISTENSEN
TheTop Chefjudge presented the coveted James Beard Award for Outstanding Chef to Christensen, who owns Poole’s Diner and several restaurants in Raleigh, N.C.
05of 14ASHLEY CHRISTENSENBen TrivettThe chef beamed after taking home the night’s top honor.
05of 14
ASHLEY CHRISTENSEN
The chef beamed after taking home the night’s top honor.
06of 14KWAME ONWUACHIBen TrivettThe chef of Washington, D.C.’s Kith and Kin, who recently published his memoirNotes from a Young Black Chef, took home the award for Rising Star Chef of the Year.
06of 14
KWAME ONWUACHI
The chef of Washington, D.C.’s Kith and Kin, who recently published his memoirNotes from a Young Black Chef, took home the award for Rising Star Chef of the Year.
07of 14ANN KIMBen TrivettThe chef and co-owner of Young Joni in Minneapolis received the award for Best Chef Midwest. “My journey has not been easy, it has not been linear, it has not been conventional,” Kim said in her acceptance speech on Monday night. “I’m standing here because 10 years ago I said, ‘f—k fear!’ If my work has made a traditionally narrow path a bit wider, a bit more inclusive, that will be my greatest achievement.”
07of 14
ANN KIM
The chef and co-owner of Young Joni in Minneapolis received the award for Best Chef Midwest. “My journey has not been easy, it has not been linear, it has not been conventional,” Kim said in her acceptance speech on Monday night. “I’m standing here because 10 years ago I said, ‘f—k fear!’ If my work has made a traditionally narrow path a bit wider, a bit more inclusive, that will be my greatest achievement.”
08of 14
AYESHA CURRY
09of 14FABIO VIVIANI & GAIL SIMMONSBen TrivettIt’s aTop Chefreunion! Viviani—who was named “fan favorite” on season 5 of the culinary reality show—and the judge share a moment backstage at the awards.
09of 14
FABIO VIVIANI & GAIL SIMMONS
It’s aTop Chefreunion! Viviani—who was named “fan favorite” on season 5 of the culinary reality show—and the judge share a moment backstage at the awards.
10of 14
KELLY FIELDS
11of 14ASHLEY CHRISTENSEN & JESSE TYLER FERGUSONBen TrivettThe Oustanding Chef winner raised a glass as Ferguson captured the moment.
11of 14
ASHLEY CHRISTENSEN & JESSE TYLER FERGUSON
The Oustanding Chef winner raised a glass as Ferguson captured the moment.
12of 14DANIEL BOULUDBen TrivettThe acclaimed chef was photographed with Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz, who together took home the award for Outstanding Restaurateur for their Boka Restaurant Group. “Is tonight even real?” Katz joked with PEOPLE after accepting their award.
12of 14
DANIEL BOULUD
The acclaimed chef was photographed with Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz, who together took home the award for Outstanding Restaurateur for their Boka Restaurant Group. “Is tonight even real?” Katz joked with PEOPLE after accepting their award.
13of 14KEVIN BOEHM & ROB KATZBen TrivettBoehm and Katz, who run Boka Restaurant Group which owns the famed Girl & the Goat in Chicago, celebrated their big win.
13of 14
KEVIN BOEHM & ROB KATZ
Boehm and Katz, who run Boka Restaurant Group which owns the famed Girl & the Goat in Chicago, celebrated their big win.
14of 14JESSE TYLER FERGUSON & ZOOEY DESCHANELBen TrivettThe actress congratulates Ferguson on his hosting gig following the ceremony. “It was so fun watching him have fun on stage,” Deschanel tells PEOPLE. “He was the perfect person to capture the excitement of the night.”
14of 14
JESSE TYLER FERGUSON & ZOOEY DESCHANEL
The actress congratulates Ferguson on his hosting gig following the ceremony. “It was so fun watching him have fun on stage,” Deschanel tells PEOPLE. “He was the perfect person to capture the excitement of the night.”
source: people.com
