The 2024 James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony will take place in Chicago on June 10, and four Philadelphians will be representing the City of Brotherly Love, writes Jason Sheehan for Philadelphia Magazine.

Out of 10 Philadelphia semifinalists, one was named a finalist for the Restaurant and Chef Awards.

Jesse Ito of Royal Izakaya, the lone nominee for this particular award, is up for Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic region.

Philly will also have two honorees for the James Beard Foundation’s Leadership Awards.

Among the honorees will be Muhammad Abdul-Hadi of Down North Pizza, who will receive an award for Industry Culture and Practices. With his business model of employing formerly incarcerated individuals, he provides his employees the opportunity to develop skills and experiences they can use to build their restaurant industry careers.

Another honoree, Christa Barfield of FarmerJawn, will be receiving the Emerging Leadership Award. As one of the few Black women farmers, Barfield has influenced many nationally as a local grassroots leader.

In addition, Vietnam Restaurant won an America’s Classics Award a few weeks back.

Read more about how Philly will be represented in the upcoming 2024 James Beard Foundation Awards ceremony at Philadelphia Magazine.

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