Beard Awards Elicit Celebrations & Congratulations Across Social Media

After a day to decompress, it's time to check social media and relive reactions to the 2016 James Beard Foundation Awards. Most of the out-of-town restaurant industry guests have probably already departed Chicago, but they definitely left an impression via Twitter. Here are some of the highlights.

Thomas Keller gives props to the crew from Alinea, which took home Outstanding Restaurant:

Couldn't be more proud of @Gachatz and the entire @Alinea team! Well deserved chef. #TKRGalumni #jbfa

— Thomas Keller (@Chef_Keller) May 3, 2016

Chef Curtis Stone celebrates with Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo in honor of L.A.'s Animal's win for Best Chef: West:

Winner winner ANIMAL dinner! Congrats guys! #jbfa pic.twitter.com/QRHHfIppzA

— Chef Curtis Stone (@CurtisStone) May 3, 2016

Marcus Samuelson poses with New Orleans' Leah Chase, recipient of this year's Beard Lifetime Achievement Award. Chase drew a standing ovation for a speech that was ripe with one liners including this one referring to a certain Chicagoan: "Poor Mr. Obama, we had a fight. But Mr. Obama from Chicago, what do you know about gumbo? Nothing."

What an honor to present the #JBFA lifetime achievement award to the inspiring #LeahChase last night. @chefjohnbesh pic.twitter.com/NDQhnnMXvP

— Marcus Samuelsson (@MarcusCooks) May 3, 2016

Here's a few scenes from the Roister afterparty, celebrating Alinea's aforementioned win:

#Afterhours quality control at @roisterchicago for the #jbfa with @DanielBoulud & #Danielhumm pic.twitter.com/8J8Gavi3yd

— Paul Vitagliano (@paulvitagliano) May 3, 2016

New Orleans iconic Commander's Palace congratulates Alon Shaya for his win for Best New Restaurant:

Woot woot! Many congrats to our very dear friend @AlonShaya for #JBFA2016 Best New Restaurant pic.twitter.com/0FpRQDcCBd

— Commander's Palace (@Commanders_NOLA) May 3, 2016

Rachael Ray poses with Andrew Zimmern on the red carpet:

Kicking off the red carpet with @rachaelray #jbfa pic.twitter.com/XqXxs0DjfJ

— Andrew Zimmern (@andrewzimmern) May 2, 2016

The band of beards from Land & Sea Dept. are humbled by Cherry Circle Room's win for Best Restaurant Design for a space with more than 75 seats.

We're so honored to have received a @beardfoundation award for Outstanding Restaurant Design. Thanks to all staff, @ChiAthletic & the JBF!

— Cherry Circle Room (@cherrycircleCAA) May 3, 2016

And finally, former Tribune food writer Kevin Pang gives thanks to Grace chef Curtis Duffy, who won Best Chef: Midwest. Pang chronicled Duffy in the documentary "For Grace."

I'd be remiss if I didn't congratulate @curtisduffy on his #JBFA win. Curtis, thanks for letting me share your story. You're a good dude.

— Kevin Pang (@pang) May 3, 2016