The Indian restaurant named ‘Chai Pani’ which translates to Tea and Water won the coveted James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago on Monday. Chai Pani is well known for serving delicious Indian food and topped several other restaurants for the win.
Chai Pani boasts a menu that serves affordable Indian dishes. Located in North Carolina, it has now bagged the title of being the best restaurant in America.
The Asheville restaurant was chosen to be named as America’s most Outstanding Restaurant at the James Beard Foundation Awards held on Monday in Chicago, beating other top contenders like New Orleans’ Brennan’s.
After two years, the honors have been bestowed for the first time. It was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic which forced the temporary closure of many restaurants. This also gave the much-needed time to the foundation to remove any bias that existed in the system.
Americans are paying the highest prices when it comes to food in the four decades amid rising inflation trying to put the broader economy in jeopardy.
The inclusion of diversity in this year’s award recipients and the nominee slate reflected the diverse composition of the US culinary arena. More geographical variety was included which came off as a breath of fresh air since in the past many winners were from Chicago or New York.
Chai Pani translates into tea and water and has a menu that serves a savory dish called ‘Chaat’ which has been a major hit with food lovers offering them a medley of flavors hitting the right notes of sweet, tang, and spice.
Native American restaurant ‘Owamni’ located in Minneapolis was hailed as the Best New Restaurant. Owamni has a composition of 75% indigenous staff.
Don Guerra from Barrio Bread in Tucson, Arizona was named ‘the outstanding baker’ for his use of ancient grains whose seeds are adapted to grow in any dry and desert area.
The title of ‘Outstanding Chef’ was awarded to Mashama Bailey of The Grey located in Savannah, Georgia. Chris Bianco of Tratto, Pizzeria Bianco in Phoenix, Pane Bianco and was named ‘Outstanding Restaurateur’.
Vice President of James Beard Foundation Awards, Dawn Padmore stated that the foundation did a complete “deep dive” within itself during the two-year hiatus.
“Looking at the audience and seeing so many different people, it feels different. It’s about reflecting the true diversity of the industry.”
Dawn Padmore, Vice President of James Beard Foundation Awards
