The menus at events leading up to the James Beard Awards were out of this world.
- The James Beard Awards, one the biggest award ceremonies for the U.S. restaurant industry, took place on Monday in Chicago.
- Before the award ceremony, top chefs, food critics and other industry insiders gather at panel talks and Chef's Night Out, a celebration and massive invite-only party.
- The mouth-watering menus from brunch to Chef's Night Out included seasonal ingredients and innovative combinations, as expected.
Getting a James Beard Award is a major honor for anyone in the restaurant industry - and those who simply enjoy dining out take notice.
This Monday, the James Beard Awards ceremony took place in Chicago. The Foundation recognized Gabrielle Hamilton, who owns the Manhattan restaurant Prune, with the national award for Outstanding Chef, and Best New Restaurant was awarded to Edouardo Jordan, who runs Seattle's JuneBaby.
Events leading up to the main award ceremony include industry panel talks, the Leadership Awards, and Chef's Night Out - a massive party hosted by the James Beard Foundation that lets top chefs and industry insiders celebrate the night before the major award show.
Hosted at Chicago's historic Theater on the Lake, Chef's Night Out had plenty of delicious dishes - from strawberry and lime-cured salmon to fried mac and cheese.
See below for the full day's menu.