James Beard was a profoundly orotund sensualist who got famous in the '50s promoting gourmet French food to middlebrow America through a number of cookbooks and essays—he also co-founded Citymeals-on-Wheels, which delivers food to the home-bound elderly in NYC, as well as an eponymous cooking school. He died in the '80s, and now there's a James Beard Foundation that carries on his foodie legacy, operating out of his old West Village townhouse. (To give you a sense of Beard's flamboyant personality, the upstairs bathroom is floor-to-ceiling mirrors.) Every year the Foundation gives out a bunch of awards at a big pretentious event the food blogs breathlessly fawn over. more ›

Bobby: more ›

On Monday night there will be a huge, star-studded, red-carpet event held at Avery Fisher Hall with men in tuxes, women in floor-length gowns, and paparazzi galore. Some swanky movie premiere? No -- the James Beard Awards, an annual event that is taking a grand step up in venue this year (in the past it had taken place at the Marriott Marquis). But many question the decision to glam up the awards. Not only did Anthony Bourdain scoff at the decision to have restaurant staff prepare food in a venue with no kitchen, but for an organization that was drowning in scandal as recently as 2004, was this really a good choice? more ›

- As part of your National Hamburger Month celebration, make sure you eat these 20. The boys at A Hamburger Today revisit Alan Richman's GQ article from last summer. At least three are in New York -- you may have to travel a bit more for the others. more ›

More at Gothamist Food on the scandal. And the James Beard Society does have great events because, as the NY Times article points out, similar meals eaten at restaurant would cost much much more. Gothamist hopes the society finds its bearings.
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Congratulations to the winners and nominees! Here's hoping Gothamist makes our to some of those fine establishments for at least a $20.04 meal, if offered. more ›