In an appetizing victory for Filipino cuisine, celebrity chef and content creator Erwan Heussaff has bagged the 2023 James Beard Media Award in the Social Media Account category. This prestigious international recognition celebrates Heussaff’s continued efforts in promoting Filipino cuisine through his compelling Instagram features, solidifying his role as an influential culinary ambassador for the Philippines on the global stage.
Heussaff was among the winners who were announced on June 3, 2023, during a live ceremony at Columbia College Chicago, marking a triumphant moment for Heussaff and Filipino cuisine as a whole.
The James Beard Media Awards recognized Heussaff’s Instagram account, a thriving platform where he enthusiastically shares the diverse flavors and stories of Filipino cuisine with his 4.4 million followers. Competing against fellow nominees Kalamatas Kitchen and Andrew Huang, Ewa Huang, and Jeromy Ko of Nom Life, Heussaff emerged victorious, further highlighting the growing appeal of Filipino food on the international stage.
He's done it! Erwan Heussaff has won the @beardfoundation Media Awards! Congratulations @erwanheussaff https://t.co/P1cy7l4sov
— GoodNewsPilipinas.com (@GoodNewsPinas_) June 6, 2023
In his acceptance speech, Heussaff shared a powerful message about the significance of Filipino cuisine and culture. He said, “Anywhere you go in the world, you’ll meet Filipinos, especially in the food and beverage industry. Yet not a lot is known about our culture or our food. I’m obsessed with trying to figure out how to make Filipino food just the big thing. This award motivates me further to keep shining the light on our beautiful country, our beautiful people, and the food that is made in our kitchen.”
Heussaff’s win comes as no surprise considering his groundbreaking work in digital content creation through his agency, The Fat Kid Inside. Founded in 2013, the agency is responsible for the YouTube channel FEATR, which offers captivating content about Filipino cuisine and culture to over three million subscribers.
Heussaff’s win follows his nomination for the same award, which was announced earlier this year. He joins other Filipinos in the prestigious list of winners and finalists of the James Beard Media Awards. In 2022, New York-based Filipino-American sommelier Miguel de Leon won the James Beard Award for Journalism. In 2019, Artisan Books’ “I Am a Filipino: And This is How We Cook” writer-restaurateur Nicole Ponseca and Chef Miguel Trinidad of Maharlika New York City and of Jeepney NYC were finalists in the James Beard Media Awards.
Fellow Filipino chefs Vince Bugtong of Abaca, Margarita Manzke of Republique, and Aaron Verzosa of Archipelago are finalists for the prestigious 2023 James Beard Awards for Restaurants and Chefs.
This award serves as an acknowledgment of Heussaff’s tireless advocacy for Filipino cuisine, his innovative use of digital media, and his unique ability to connect with audiences worldwide. With this win, Heussaff isn’t just raising the bar for content creators but also ensuring that Filipino cuisine and culture continue to earn the recognition and appreciation they deserve on the global stage.
Indeed, this is not just a win for Heussaff, but a win for the entire Filipino culinary scene. As Filipino cuisine continues to sizzle on the world stage, food enthusiasts around the globe can expect more delightful and delicious content from this inspiring culinary ambassador.
WATCH his award acceptance speech here and SEND CONGRATULATIONS in the comments below to Erwan Heussaff for winning the James Beard Media Awards!
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