This year’s winners of the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards were announced during a ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago last night. Since its founding in 1991, the James Beard Awards have become one of the most prized culinary acknowledgments in the country up there with the Michelin Guide, and are often referred to as the Oscars of the restaurant industry.
Having had 17 different Chicago chefs and restaurants make the semifinals, this number dropped to 4 when the James Beard Award finalists were announced back in early April.
Now, with the winners unveiled last night, one single Chicago establishment made the final cut earning the coveted award in the Outstanding Hospitality category. That was none other than Logan Square’s Lula Cafe.
The market-driven cafe on Kedzie Boulevard has flourished since Chef Jason Hammel opened a small single storefront back in 1999. Today the cherished neighborhood spot spans three storefronts offering “simple yet sophisticated” New American fare.
“Inventive, market-driven, mostly organic food in a casual, funky space, hosting an especially popular brunch in Chicago” reads the Lula website. But it is its drive and ethic that have shot it to such high levels of popularity along with its emphasis on caring for its workers and the local community.
It is “a celebrated forerunner” of Chicago’s farm-to-table movement and the founding member of the nationally recognized Logan Square culinary community.
“We truly believe at Lula that hospitality is love and it’s a love with conditions, and we believe the conditions can be just and fair and kind,” said Hammel upon receiving the award. “I hope that everyone… especially those with power will enact policies that protect and ensure that these conditions can be met and maintained for everyone.”