Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 13 hours ago
The James Beard Foundation® celebrated the honorees of the 2026
James Beard Impact Awards presented by American Express and Resy at a luncheon at The Dalcy in Chicago on Sunday, June 14. Chef, Educator, Author, Activist and James Beard Leadership Award winner Sean Sherman hosted the event, which honored five changemakers from across the country whose work is helping to build a more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable restaurant industry and food system. Through advocacy, policy, innovation, and direct community support, this year’s honorees are advancing meaningful change for producers, workers, and consumers alike.
The 2026 Impact Award honorees are:
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA
Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation
Senator Ben Ray Luján
ReFED
Southern Smoke Foundation
Learn more at jamesbeard.org
The James Beard Foundation® celebrated the honorees of the 2026
James Beard Impact Awards presented by American Express and Resy at a luncheon at The Dalcy in Chicago on Sunday, June 14. Chef, Educator, Author, Activist and James Beard Leadership Award winner Sean Sherman hosted the event, which honored five changemakers from across the country whose work is helping to build a more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable restaurant industry and food system. Through advocacy, policy, innovation, and direct community support, this year’s honorees are advancing meaningful change for producers, workers, and consumers alike.
The 2026 Impact Award honorees are:
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA
Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation
Senator Ben Ray Luján
ReFED
Southern Smoke Foundation
Learn more at jamesbeard.org
