Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
The James Beard Impact Awards recognize achievements by individuals and/or organizations who are actively working to push for standards that create a more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable restaurant industry and food system for producers, workers, and consumers alike.
Southern Smoke Foundation
Founded in 2017 by James Beard Award–winning chef Chris Shepherd and executive director Lindsey Brown, Southern Smoke Foundation provides access to no-cost mental health services through its program, Behind You, and emergency relief funding to food and beverage (F and B) workers nationwide. This includes restaurant, bar, and cafe workers; farmers and ranchers; winemakers, distillers, and brewers; and anyone in the industry faced with financial hardship because of a medical emergency, accident, natural disaster, or other unforeseen incident. To date, Southern Smoke Foundation has granted more than $16 million to F and B workers nationwide and provided access to more than 10,000 no-cost counseling sessions to F and B workers in 12 states and Washington, D.C.
Learn more at jamesbeard.org
The James Beard Impact Awards recognize achievements by individuals and/or organizations who are actively working to push for standards that create a more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable restaurant industry and food system for producers, workers, and consumers alike.
Southern Smoke Foundation
Founded in 2017 by James Beard Award–winning chef Chris Shepherd and executive director Lindsey Brown, Southern Smoke Foundation provides access to no-cost mental health services through its program, Behind You, and emergency relief funding to food and beverage (F and B) workers nationwide. This includes restaurant, bar, and cafe workers; farmers and ranchers; winemakers, distillers, and brewers; and anyone in the industry faced with financial hardship because of a medical emergency, accident, natural disaster, or other unforeseen incident. To date, Southern Smoke Foundation has granted more than $16 million to F and B workers nationwide and provided access to more than 10,000 no-cost counseling sessions to F and B workers in 12 states and Washington, D.C.
Learn more at jamesbeard.org
