James Beard Foundation to Open New NYC Food Hall

The James Beard Foundation is set to both headline and help curate a new food hall in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood, due to open this fall.

Eighteen food stalls will be installed at the new 16,000-square-foot Pier 57 location by the non-profit organisation in collaboration with the management firm Jamestown and Google.

This marks a big departure from the New York-based foundation's annual culinary awards and represents a growing commitment to culinary and cultural diversity. “It’s just a great way to bring to life what the foundation stands for,” the foundation’s CEO Clare Reichenbach told Eater. "This will serve as an incubator for local small businesses and food entrepreneurs aligned with the Foundation's mission of championing a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability."  

The vendors are yet to be named but are likely to be fast-casual concepts from up-and-coming local chefs, in order to "further diversify Chelsea’s vibrant food scene, while also fostering and incubating local entrepreneurship,” Michael Phillips, president of Jamestown, said in a press release. The Foundation will also have autonomy over one of the eighteen stalls, where they will showcase a rotating programme of guest chefs involved in various James Beard activities.