Ted Allen to Host Annual James Beard Foundation Media Awards

New York, NY (April 16, 2009) – Cat Cora, Emeril Lagasse and Stanley Tucci will host the 2009 James Beard Foundation Awards taking place at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall on Monday, May 4, 2009.  The highly-anticipated celebration, which honors excellence and achievement in the food and beverage industries, has become the gastronomic highlight on the calendar each year.  This year’s Awards festivities celebrate “Women in Food” and will feature a star-studded line-up of presenters and attendees as well as a post-show Gala Reception with some of the nation’s top female chefs, sommeliers, mixologists and artisanal producers.  In addition, television host and author Ted Allen will host the annual Media Awards on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at the Hudson Theatre in midtown Manhattan.

“We are thrilled to have such an incredible line-up of hosts for this year’s James Beard Foundation Awards,” said Susan Ungaro, President of the James Beard Foundation. “Cat, Emeril, Stanley and Ted are all so accomplished in their respective fields and have made an impact on the culinary community and on American pop culture as well.  As our hosts, they will infuse the ceremony with entertainment, humor and insight, and help support the Foundation’s mission to celebrate America’s culinary heritage and diversity.”

The May 4th Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception will include a star-studded line-up of some of the nation’s most esteemed culinary luminaries including Martha Stewart, Mario Batali, Joe Bastianich, David Chang, Drew Nieporent, Grant Achatz, José Andrés, Danny Meyer, Todd English, Donatella Arpaia, Lorraine Bracco, Carey Lowell, Alexandra Guarnaschelli, Michelle Bernstein, Ming Tsai, Traci Des Jardins and many more.  Actress Kim Cattrall (host of last year’s Awards Ceremony) and Alan Wyse will serve as Co-Chairs of the VIP Dinner taking place following the Awards Ceremony, while Lidia Matticchio Bastianich, acclaimed chef, restaurateur, television personality, cookbook author and multiple James Beard Foundation Award-winner, will serve as the honorary Gala Chair.  As Gala Chair, Ms. Bastianich is working with the Awards Committee to help shape the evening’s menu and the brigade of acclaimed women chefs who are being featured at the Gala Reception.

Established in 1990, the James Beard Foundation Awards recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields and continue to emphasize the Foundation’s mission: to celebrate, preserve, and nurture America’s culinary heritage and diversity.  Winners of the Restaurant and Chef, Book, Design and Graphics, and special achievement awards will be presented at the Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception on Monday, May 4, 2009 at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall.  The Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception are open to the general public, and tickets can be purchased by calling the Awards Box Office at 212.925.0054 or by visiting www.JBFAwards.com.  General public tickets are $450 ($400 for Foundation members, $200 for press). The Journalism and Broadcast Media Awards will be presented at the invitation-only Media Awards Dinner on Sunday, May 3, 2009 at the Hudson Theatre in midtown Manhattan.  All award winners will receive a certificate and a bronze medallion engraved with the James Beard Foundation Awards insignia.  There are no cash awards.

The 2009 James Beard Foundation Awards are presented in association with All-Clad Metalcrafters and American Express® (the official card of the James Beard Foundation); Premier Sponsors: Green & Black’s® Organic Chocolate, Lexus, Viking Range Corporation; Supporting Sponsors: Delta Air Lines, illy caffè North America, Inc., Southern Wine & Spirits of New York, Stella Artois; Gala Reception Sponsors: Acqua Panna® Natural Spring Water, Ecolab, Pernod Ricard USA, Rums of Puerto Rico, S.Pellegrino® Sparkling Natural Mineral Water; and with additional support from Chefwear and Pommery Champagne.

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