Berlu was a rare bird, a fine-dining restaurant in a city with little use for them, offering a meticulous tasting menu that — at least in the early days — clocked in at a relatively affordable $80 a head.

The James Beard Foundation announced Wednesday the finalists vying for its coveted awards, and among them are five Chicago chefs and restaurants.

Brandon Chrostowski, the founder and CEO of Edwins, will receive an inaugural James Beard Foundation Impact Award. Why it matters: This will be the first James Beard Award for Chrostowksi, who was a semifinalist in 2022 and finalist in 2023 in the Outstanding Restaurateur category.

"The James Beard Public Market team is moving with urgency as we recognize the vital role this catalytic project can have for economic development and downtown recovery and moving Portland from a doom loop to a bloom loop.