John Besh is a chef and a native son dedicated to the culinary riches of southern Louisiana. In his restaurants, entrepreneurial pursuits, and public activities, he preserves and promotes ingredients, techniques, and heritage one mouth-watering dish at a time.

Besh grew up in southern Louisiana and has set the benchmark for fine dining in New Orleans -- a town whose identity is bound to its food. His nine acclaimed restaurants (August, Besh Steak, Lüke, Lüke San Antonio, La Provence, American Sector, Soda Shop, Domenica and Borgne) celebrate the bounty and traditions of the region. His restaurant August has earned recognition as a Gayot Top 40 Restaurant and a Wine Enthusiast Top 100 Restaurant.

From the outset of his career, Besh’s talent and drive have earned him continuous kudos: Food & Wine named him one of the “Top 10 Best New Chefs in America,” and he won the coveted James Beard Award for Best Chef of the Southeast in 2006. He was inducted into the James Beard Foundation's "Who’s Who in Food & Beverage" in 2014. His flagship restaurant, August, was a 2012 and 2013 James Beard Nominee for Outstanding National Restaurant. Besh has appeared on top television programs including the Food Network and the acclaimed Sundance Channel “Iconoclast” series alongside his longtime friend, jazz musician Wynton Marsalis. Additionally, Besh hosted the television show "Hungry Investors" in 2014.

Besh’s devotion to local ingredients and local cuisine extends to his entrepreneurial projects, including the creation of Besh Restaurant Group Catering and the publication of his three cookbooks: "My New Orleans," "My Family Table," and "Cooking from the Heart." These books have been recognized by the culinary industry and led to the inception of his two national public television cooking shows, "Chef John Besh’s New Orleans," and "Chef John Besh’s Family Table." A former U.S. Marine, Besh has collaborated with Baton Rouge-based emergency reconstruction specialists Arkel International, creating high-quality ready-to-eat meals for emergency response teams, promoting the Gulf Coast’s food culture while supporting the Louisiana economy.

The John Besh Foundation, Besh's non-profit organization, works to protect and preserve the culinary heritage and foodways of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast area. The foundation's initiatives include the Chefs Move! scholarship program and a microloan program to support local farmers and producers, enhancing their capacity to grow their businesses within the region.

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