I was reading about the history of Texas brisket and found something wild

I mean, I always knew Aaron Franklin was a big deal, but I found out he actually won his first James Beard Award for Best Chef: Southwest back in 2015. That's like the Oscars for food, and he got it for barbecue, which is pretty huge. I found this in an old Texas Monthly article from a few years back. Does anyone know of other pitmasters who've gotten that kind of national award?

2 comments

2 Comments

ericb661mo ago

Wait, Aaron Franklin actually won a James Beard Award? That's insane. I had no idea barbecue even got seriously considered for those fancy food awards. I always figured they were reserved for some fancy chef at a five-star restaurant in New York or something. Just shows how much respect Franklin really changed the game for Texas brisket.

sarahpatel1mo ago

2015 though? That was like right when the whole "craft barbecue" wave was really taking off. I remember reading about how Franklin basically put Texas brisket on the national culinary map, but I didn't realize it was THAT official. I mean, James Beard judges fly in from all over the country to taste test stuff, so for a pitmaster to win that category is CRAZY.