I Won The James Beard Photography Prize!
I WON THE JAMES BEARD FOUNDATION PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE!
I've spent years photographing chefs, butchers, bakers, and bartenders—people who live and breathe food culture in Buffalo and worldwide. So when I found out that one of my images had not only been shortlisted but actually won a James Beard Foundation Photography Prize at the World Food Photography Awards, I was stunned in the best possible way.
The winning photo is a portrait of Tom Moriarty, founder of Moriarty Meats and Moriarty Bar Cafe in Buffalo, NY, and one of the most dedicated artisans I've ever worked with. Tom believes deeply in working with local farmers, using hand butchery techniques, and having transparency in sourcing. The photo captures Tom focused, grounded, and prepping for a day at his previous location before customers start arriving for the day. It's an image that's picked up several accolades over the years. However, recognition from the James Beard Foundation—a name synonymous with the best in American food culture—is easily the highest honor it's received.
The James Beard Foundation is one of the most respected institutions in the culinary world, dedicated to celebrating, nurturing, and honoring chefs and food professionals who make America's food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable. Established in honor of the legendary cookbook author, television host, and teacher James Beard, the foundation's annual awards—often called the "Oscars of the food world"—recognize excellence across various disciplines. The foundation's "Good Food for Good" philosophy informs a vision of a vibrant, equitable, and sustainable independent restaurant industry that stands as a cornerstone of American culture, community, and economy and drives toward better food systems.
What made the whole experience even more surreal was the timing. My wife and I had already planned a trip to Lisbon, Portugal, when we learned that the awards ceremony would take place in London. So, naturally, we made a quick side quest out of it. While there, we hopped to the UK, attended the ceremony, and even squeezed in a West End musical (Hadestown). The evening itself was electric, and the most surreal moment came when I was presented the award by Chef Yotam Ottolenghi — a culinary icon whose books and restaurants have helped define modern Middle Eastern cuisine. He's known for his vibrant, produce-forward dishes, best-selling cookbooks like Ottolenghi Simple and Plenty, and being a global ambassador of hospitality, inclusivity, and flavor. To receive this award from someone whose work I've admired for years was so exciting.
The awards were judged by an international panel of editors, chefs, photographers, and industry experts, including David Loftus, Vicky Lau, Clare Reichenbach, Rich Robinson, Rene Redzepi, Jaime Oliver, Pepa Chadwick, George Motz, Ruth Watson, Ian Kittichai, and many more. To be recognized by such an esteemed group of professionals made the win all the more meaningful.
This wasn't the only image of mine recognized, either. I had three photographs shortlisted in the awards this year. Alongside the portrait of Tom, there was a shot from my Delicious Disasters series featuring Ryan and Isaac from Hombre Y Lobo, a fantastic taco joint here in Buffalo mid–food fight, totally covered in messy goodness. It was chaotic, joyful, and completely unfiltered. The third image was a more intimate portrait of Ryan Fernandez of Southern Junction BBQ, himself a two-time James Beard Foundation nominee, whose Southern-Indian-Texas-BBQ mashup cooking is as bold and expressive as he is. These images couldn't be more different from one another. Still, each one speaks to the energy and character of our region's food scene.
I'm often asked why I gravitate toward working with chefs and food creatives. The truth is, there's an intensity and artistry in those environments that's unlike anything else. The people I work with are masters of craft and chaos—visionaries who can plate beauty one minute and weather a dinner rush the next. I love that balance. And it doesn't hurt that I sometimes nosh on the leftovers from a shoot or sneak a taste of whatever brilliant new dish a chef is experimenting with—perks of the job.
Ultimately, my goal has always been to create images that capture the character and drama of my subjects — to help people see the beauty in someone's process, passion, and story. Whether it's a quiet moment in a butcher shop or a full-on salsa-soaked brawl, the heart of the work is the same: connection. Winning this award is an incredible moment in my career. Still, I hope it also brings more attention to the fantastic creative and culinary talent in Western New York. They're the real stars of the story.
