Chicago celebrates four medallions at the James Beard Awards

Bakers at Publican Quality Bread
Workers at Publican Quality Bread prepare dough at the bakery's West Loop kitchen. Head Baker Greg Wade was named best baker at the 2019 James Beard Awards on May 6, 2019 (Nicole Croteau/MEDILL)

By Nicole Croteau
Medill Reports

Chicago chefs and restaurateurs took home four medallions last week at the 2019 James Beard Awards.

Greg Wade of Publican Quality Bread was named Outstanding Baker, and Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz of Boka Restaurant Group won Best Restaurateur at the ceremony in Chicago last Monday night.

Other categories that went to Chicago eateries were: Pacific Standard Time in River North for Outstanding Restaurant Design; and Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark for Best Chef/Great Lakes at their restaurant Parachute.

The four medallions were a triumph for the city this year. Only one Chicago restaurant won in 2018.

Workers at Publican Quality Bread prepare dough at the bakery’s West Loop kitchen. Head Baker Greg Wade was named Outstanding Baker at the 2019 James Beard Awards on May 6, 2019 (Nicole Croteau/MEDILL)