Logan Square Chef Wins Only 2018 James Beard Award In Chicago

CHICAGO, IL — While the James Beard Foundation named more than two dozen semifinalists in Chicago, only one chef brought home a James Beard Award this year. Abraham Conlon of the acclaimed Logan Square restaurant Fat Rice won the Best Chef: Great Lakes Award. The James Beard Foundation Awards Gala was held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago Monday.

A panel of more than 600 judges from across the country determined the final nominees in each category and selected the winners. The foundation recognizes the best new restaurants, outstanding bar programs, bakers and rising star chefs.

Among the semifinalists, 28 Chicago eateries and chefs made the cut in many categories, including Best New Restaurant, Outstanding Baker, Outstanding Bar Program, Outstanding Chef, Outstanding Pastry Chef and Outstanding Restauranteur. Despite being nominated in four categories, the acclaimed Lincoln Park restaurant Boka didn't take home any awards.

Six semifinalists in Logan Square made the cut, but only Conlon took home the award. Conlon is the co-founder of Fat Rice, which opened in 2012. He's known for introducing Chicago to Macau, the former Portuguese outpost on China's southeast coast. Conlon and Adrienne Lo are the chefs and co-owners of Fat Rice, which has also been praised in Bon Appétit, Food & Wine, Eater and many other publications.

Conlon was also nominated in 2016 and 2017 for the Best Chef: Great Lakes category as a finalist, and was a semifinalist in 2014 and 2015.

Conlon is also co-author of The Adventures of Fat Rice: Recipes from the Chicago Restaurant Inspired by Macau.

Top image via YouTube