37th Annual International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) Award Winners Announced in Washington, D.C.

Conference Photos Credit Deb Lindsey Photography

This past weekend, the International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) announced the winners of its highly-coveted awards, including the IACP Cookbook Awards, Bert Greene Awards (The Bert Greene Awards were first presented in 1991 to honor excellence in food journalism. The awards were named after Bert Greene (1923-1988), a nationally renowned cooking teacher, cookbook author, and syndicated food

Award Certificate Logo

columnist), Digital Media Awards (which honor excellence and trendsetters in both traditional and emerging communications technologies, including culinary blogs, video, audio, and other digital forms), Historical Cookbook Award, IACP Food Photography Awards, First Book: Julia Child Award, Special Cookbook Awards, Culinary Classics Awards and the IACP Special Recognition Awards at its 37th annual conference centered on the theme “Culinary Communications.” IACP award recipients are chosen through an intense judging process, with winners being acknowledged as trailblazers in the global culinary community. The awards were hosted by chef, restaurateur, New York Times bestselling cookbook author, and television personality Curtis Stone.

The International Association of Culinary Professionals (IACP) is an organization–where culinary professionals can gain the skills and connections to get good work and do it well– and is committed to excellence in all aspects of communication by the culinary industry, including journalism, publishing, digital media, visual media, marketing communications, and teaching. One of its greatest resource is its multi-faceted membership, which includes writers, bloggers, photographers, stylists, marketers, chefs, restaurateurs, nutritionists, and academics, as well as its culture of support and connectivity.

The 2015 conference assembled culinary thought leaders to the eclectic food scene of Washington, D.C. Food media, cookbook authors, chefs, dietitians, food photographers, food marketers, food stylists, bloggers, culinary tourism experts, educators, and farmers gathered to connect, learn, and share their career and personal journeys in their collective love for food. This unique meeting of the food minds convenes annually providing unmatched educational sessions, culinary tours, cooking classes, and networking opportunities. (The 2016 IACP Conference is planned for Los Angeles from April 1-3, and a call for educational session proposals will be issued in the coming months.)

This year’s winners include cookbook authors Christopher Kostow (Cookbook of the Year, presented by Cuisinart) and Sean Brock (First Book: Julia Child Award, presented by KitchenAid) and popular print publications and websites such as Food & Wine Magazine, Fine Cooking Magazine, EatingWell, Bon Appétit, and Food52. (For a complete listing of all award winners, see below.)

IACP Conference – Sunday Cookbook and Media Awards were hosted by chef Curtis Stone.

A highlight for this year’s conference has been celebrating Jacques Pépin’s 80th birthday. A culinary pioneer and original founder of IACP, Jacques Pépin was honored by IACP with the event, “80 Cakes for Jacques Pépin,” which featured 80 birthday cakes contributed by some of the world’s leading chefs, tastemakers, and organizations. The cakes were then auctioned off to support IACP’s philanthropic arm, The Culinary Trust. More than $8,000 was raised for the trust, including a generous donation by Chef Andrés. Pastry Chef Jacques Torres prepared and served chef Pépin’s favorite “Jacques Torres Oreo Cake” for attendees, and numerous celebrity chefs and culinary luminaries shared toast after toast.

IACP Conference – Sunday Cookbook and Media awards: Tina Ujlaki, Food & Wine Executive Food Editor, accepts multiple awards for the magazine including Publication of the Year.

IACP Conference – Jacques Pepin 80th birthday tribute. Chefs toast Jacques Pepin who joined via Skype.

IACP Conference – Jacques Pepin 80th birthday tribute. Main display cake –Jacques Torres Oreo cake.

“We’re excited to honor and celebrate our 2015 award winners – they represent the food and culinary community’s best in class,” said Meredith Deeds, Chief Executive Officer of IACP. “This year’s conference has been an overwhelming success with inspiring speakers, top-notch sessions, and a constant flow of festive events and activities including multiple toasts for Jacques Pépin’s 80(th) birthday with an ’80 Cakes’ party. Additionally, acclaimed chef and culinary innovator José Andrés provided a motivating keynote presentation on embracing good causes and making strides to improve food quality.”