This evening the 35th annual James Beard Restaurant & Chefs Awards ceremony took place at the Lyric Opera in Chicago. The awards honor the talents of intrepid chefs who creatively approach their work and contribute to their respective communities.
And while Wisconsin was biting its nails with the hope that the nation's fully hybrid cocktail bar and Milwaukee's own, Agency, would bring home an award for Best New Bar.
Instead, the honor was bestowed upon an equally notable new cocktail bar: Identidad Cocktail Bar in San Juan, Puerto Rico, a cocktail destination that has made a name for itself through the crafting of seasonal drinks inspired by the flavors of Puerto Rico and its culture.
But we needn't deny that Agency’s nomination for the award is a significant milestone. It was, after all, the first bar in Wisconsin to be honored with a James Beard nomination.
As Kat Doughty noted when Agency received the James Beard nomination in January, "Moving onto the James Beard finals is a celebration for all of us. It reflects the talent of anyone who has ever worked a service with us, anyone we have had the privilege to learn from in our careers, anyone who has enjoyed a cocktail with us, anyone who has celebrated us from afar. This is a celebration of what Milwaukee has to offer and what this city is capable of."
For that reason alone, it’s the perfect time to read more about what makes Agency such an incredible place: “Creativity, whimsy & inclusivity are the secret sauce at Agency."
And here is to next year, Wisconsin!
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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