Watching the James Beard Foundation try to give awards to chefs and restaurants without getting itself dirty in the process, I have to wonder if ppl there regret JBF's many choices to embrace chefs and chef worship. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/08/25/dining/james-beard-awards-cancel.html

Just one example: JBF used to say its mission was to "celebrate, nurture and honor America's diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire."

Now it says its mission is to "celebrate, nurture, and honor chefs and other leaders making America's food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone."

That is a dramatically narrowed scope. America's diverse culinary heritage could include indigenous traditions, the legacy of the African diaspora, immigrant contributions, home cooking, farming etc.

Once you say you were put on this earth to celebrate chefs, though, you've lashed yourself tightly to people--bosses--with a well known set of vulnerabilities and weaknesses. Their problems become your problems. Their scandals are your scandals. Which is where JBF is today.