AUSTIN (KXAN) — An Austinite was one of only two Texans who took home James Beard Awards Monday night.
The James Beard Foundation presents its Restaurant and Chef Awards each year, which are considered to be one of the nation’s most prestigious honors.
The awards “recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive,” according to a release from the foundation. This year marked the 35th anniversary of the awards.
Arjav Ezekiel snagged the title of Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service. Five people were nominated in the category, which was new for 2025, according to the foundation.
Ezekiel is the beverage director and co-owner of Birdie’s, a New American, “fine-casual,” counter service restaurant in east Austin.
According to the James Beard Foundation, the Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service category honors a service professional who curates and serves beverages in a restaurant, bar, winery, distillery, or brewery that also serves food. The winner of the category “has set high standards; demonstrates creativity and consistency in excellence, innovation, hospitality; is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture; and has served as an exceptional example or mentor for other beverage professionals,” per the foundation.
In an interview with Getty at the awards ceremony, Ezekiel talked about what the award meant to him.
“I grew up in a world where the James Beard Foundation Awards signified achieving a level of, like, success and also a level of leadership in the restaurant world, ya know.” Ezekiel said. “To me, it’s the achievement of a lifetime, in part because of my story. We’re marching this industry forward in a really thoughtful and genuine way, I think, and it’s special.”
Ezekiel also talked about representing Birdie’s and his colleagues there.
“It’s awesome,” he said. “It was my name on the board, but it’s really like a testament to our team’s work. We have a really small dining room team that kinda brings that vision to life every day, so this was really a win for them.”
The only other Texan to take home an award was Thomas Bille, of Belly of the Beast in Spring, Texas, who won the Best Chef: Texas category.
The awards were celebrated Monday night at the Lyric Opera Chicago at a sold-out live ceremony with more than 1,500 guests. The ceremony was co-hosted by chef, restaurateur, and co-host of FOX’s “Next Level Chef,” Nyesha Arrington, and James Beard Award winner, TV personality, chef, and writer Andrew Zimmern.