Social Media Reacts to James Beard Awards Invasion of Chicago

The 25th James Beard Awards were held last night for the first time in Chicago at the Lyric Opera and our fair city came away with three wins (plus an honorary award to restaurateur Rich Melman).

Not surprisingly, the social media world was abuzz with tweets and posts of glee, shock, selfies and random observations. Below is just a small taste of what was sent out into the virtual world the past over the past twenty-four hours.

Chef whites to black tuxedos, this talented group cleans up well! @ThePigChicago @CafeSpiaggia @RiverRoastChi #jbfa pic.twitter.com/wJHszHuydJ

— The Purple Pig (@ThePigChicago) May 4, 2015

Print journalists are so far down the totem pole this is where I'm standing on the red carpet #jbfa pic.twitter.com/D18ThdgHSR

— Kevin Pang (@pang) May 4, 2015

Ready? #JBFA pic.twitter.com/yEossKytSd

— Alton Brown (@altonbrown) May 4, 2015

#jbfa pic.twitter.com/UqqU8sKQyI

— Alton Brown (@altonbrown) May 4, 2015

I love Alton, but that song was painful. #jbfa

— Jennifer Lee Kirk (@The_Jenius) May 4, 2015

I'm so very proud tonight. Congrats, Dad. @jerrodmelman @mollymelman @BeardFoundation #JBFA pic.twitter.com/zY8dsiGaYR

— RJ Melman (@RJMelman) May 5, 2015

Way to go Tosi!!! @christinatosi @milkbarstore #jbfa best pastry chef pic.twitter.com/8bba4FFgFA

— Dave Chang (@davidchang) May 5, 2015

Sending huge congrats to @chefmikeanthony Outstanding Chef #jbfa @GramercyTavern @untitlednyc Love from #Austin pic.twitter.com/m2QCSek79Y

— Danny Meyer (@dhmeyer) May 5, 2015

#jbfa Congrats to @FranklinBbq

— Jon Favreau (@Jon_Favreau) May 5, 2015

Pastry girls #jbfa @MindySegal @beardfoundation pic.twitter.com/BGVcFaqPY6

— Emily Luchetti (@EmilyLuchetti) May 5, 2015

Congrats Donnie Madia, classiest guy in the room #jbfa #theviolethour @ The Violet Hour https://t.co/WQxot0cheB

— Jonathan Waxman (@chefjwaxman) May 5, 2015

Amazing night!! Honored to present my friend @michelnischan humanitarian award #jbfa https://t.co/w8uEOTNHv4

— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) May 5, 2015

Thank you @isaianapoli for always helping me to look my best #JBFA2015 pic.twitter.com/qzIn3xK5SD

— Thomas Keller (@Chef_Keller) May 4, 2015

This lady. @alpanasingh #JBFA2015 pic.twitter.com/mz8y9PofSS

— Derrek Hull (@derrekhull) May 5, 2015

Back stage fun w/ @DanielBoulud @PhilipTessier @altonbrown @beardfoundation #JBFA2015 pic.twitter.com/FmFcYkPiyN

— Thomas Keller (@Chef_Keller) May 4, 2015

With renowned #Chicago Chef @StephAndTheGoat at the James @beardfoundation awards tonight. #JBFA2015 pic.twitter.com/zgrSQeQQ2w

— ChicagosMayor (@ChicagosMayor) May 5, 2015

I had other things happening tonight but seeing @PaulKahan being forced to wear a bow tie makes it all okay. Big congrats to One Off.

— Bryce Caron (@brycecaron) May 5, 2015

Thank you Kat ! I feel like a proud father !love my #jbfa nominees https://t.co/QPRl2RIBoL

— Daniel Boulud (@DanielBoulud) May 5, 2015

A contortionist on the bar at Frontera pretty much sums up the unexpected fun last night at r #JBFA2015 after party pic.twitter.com/NTVQHGRovR

— Rick Bayless (@Rick_Bayless) May 5, 2015

Grand old times at our #JBFA2015 after party last night! pic.twitter.com/6xiMbOF8aK

— Billy Sunday (@billysunday) May 5, 2015

"I'm sorry it took me so long, I'm not used to wearing a dress. That's why I became a chef." -Jessica Largey #jbfa @beardfoundation

— Anya Hoffman (@anya_hoffman) May 4, 2015

Backstage at the James Beard Awards with winners @barry_maiden and @GerardFCraft -- and @chefmingtsai's first GIF! pic.twitter.com/TEkHmTUObC

— Beard Foundation (@beardfoundation) May 5, 2015

#TwitterMirror photo fun with @momofuku's winning pastry chef @ChristinaTosi and HotChocolate's @MindySegal #jbfa pic.twitter.com/KfXnRaQlny

— Beard Foundation (@beardfoundation) May 5, 2015