The James Beard Foundation Awards returned to the Lyric Opera of Chicago on May 2. This year's event, which honored chefs in several categories, had a "TV Dinner" theme. The theme carried over to dishes that chefs prepared for the reception, where guests had bites inspired by classic TV characters such as Montgomery Burns from The Simpsons and the Jolly Green Giant. Here's a look at 10 dishes that stood out visually and can inspire attention-grabbing hors d'oeuvres and desserts for upcoming events.
Jennifer Jasinski of Roja in Denver topped Skuna Bay lomi-lomi salmon with basil, tarragon, strawberries, and macerated grapes. The appetizer was inspired by Magnum, P.I., which was set in Hawaii.
Photo: Francis Son
Ryan LaRoche, the vice president of culinary operations for Mariano's in Chicago, presented a hearty slider filled with smoked beef brisket, truffled cheese, horseradish, and house-made pickles. The dish was served on Park House rolls.
Photo: Francis Son
Dan Aykroyd impersonating Julia Child in a famous Saturday Night Live sketch inspired Erik Anderson and Jamie Malone, chefs at the Minneapolis restaurant Brut. The duo served Ritz crackers with chicken liver, onions, and prunes soaked in Armagnac.
Photo: Francis Son
Stuart Brioza and Nicole Krasinski, chefs at The Progress in San Francisco, served morels with asparagus in dishes set atop a brightly embroidered tablecloth. The dish was inspired by the Jolly Green Giant, a classic figure in TV commercials.
Photo: Francis Son
Jeffrey Steelman, chef de cuisine of Todd English Tuscany at Mohegan Sun Casino in Connecticut, looked to cop show Hawaii Five-O to inform his dish. He served spot prawn ceviche with avocado, compressed cucumber, yuzu toiko, wasabi snow, and prawn salt.
Photo: Francis Son
Naomi Pomeroy, who owns Beast in Portland, Oregon, said that her dish was inspired by the "Sam the Butcher" character from The Brady Bunch. The dish contained pork meatloaf topped with caramelized pineapple gastrique.
Photo: Francis Son
Chef Spike Gjerde of Woodbury Kitchen in Baltimore prepared fish sticks with tartar sauce. His dish was inspired by The Simpsons character Mr. Burns.
Photo: Francis Son
Chef Erik Bruner-Yang of Maketto in Washington served a jing roll, one of his signature bites. The dish contains ingredients such as cabbage leaves, black mushrooms, potato puree, and pickled okra.
Photo: Francis Son
Donald Link, chef and owner at Link Restaurant Group in New Orleans, prepared brioche with a Louisiana crawfish remoulade. The dish was inspired by Treme, which takes place in New Orleans.
Photo: Francis Son
Leigh Omilinsky, pastry chef at Chicago's Nico Osteria, prepared stout-cake doughnuts. Her dish was also inspired by The Simpsons, in particular by Homer Simpson's love for the treats.
Photo: Francis Son
