From the New York Times, I'm Sabrina Tabernici, and this is The Daily.

When the MeToo movement swept through the country, exposing abuses at the highest levels

of power, the restaurant industry was a chief offender.

But the food world's main kingmaker, the James Beard Foundation, only recently began

to reckon with that.

Today, food writer Brett Anderson explains how those attempts to hold the industry to account

prompted an entirely new Firestorm.

It's Tuesday, June 13th.

So Brett, last week, the James Beard Awards were handed out.

And I know the words James Beard, and I know they have something to do with food, but

that's about the extent of it.

So before we get into the changes of the awards, let's start with the basics.

What exactly are the James Beard Awards?

Well, the James Beard Awards are commonly likened to the Oscars of the Food World, and

I think that's a pretty apt description.

When you win a James Beard Award, you become basically forever known professionally as

a beard winner.

It's something that attaches to your name that anyone in the food industry knows is recognition

of some sort of accomplishment.

It's something that can lead to restaurant opening opportunities.

It can lead to partnerships with hotels and casinos.

It can lead to book contracts.

...