Baker Behind Flour Bakery + Cafe Wins James Beard Award

Boston, MA - Joanne Chang, the force behind Boston's Flour Bakery + Cafe, took home the James Beard Foundation's 2016 "Outstanding Baker" award Monday night.

Considered the Oscars of the culinary world, the James Beard awards constitute the highest honor in the restaurant industry. Chang accepted her award Monday night at this year's awards gala, held in Chicago.

A video posted by joannebchang (@joannebchang) on May 2, 2016 at 7:18pm PDT

Chang opened Flour's first location in Boston's South End roughly 16 years ago. She and her husband also opened Myers + Chang, also nominated this year, in 2007.

Other 2016 semifinalists from Boston included a "Best Restaurateur" nomination for Garrett Harker, of Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Row 34, The Hawthorne, and Branch Line. Harker's Row 34 also nabbed a semifinalist nod for "Best Bar Program."

Boston's L’Espalier was a semifinalist for "Best Service," and Jim Koch of Boston Beer Co., aka Sam Adams, received a nomination for "Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional," which recognizes those who've made a significant national impact on the restaurant industry.

Mei Mei's Irene Li was a semifinalist for "Rising Star Chef of the Year," and two Boston chefs nabbed semifinalist spots for Best Chef: Northeast -- Karen Akunowicz, of Myers + Chang, and Philip Tang, of Banyan Bar + Refuge.

>> Top photo by Jason Riedy, Flickr/Creative Commons