LOS ANGELES: Anthony Bourdain, Ina Garten and Martha Stewart remain the names to beat in American food broadcasting.
For a second year running, the three dominated the top tier of television awards from the James Beard Foundation, winning for the same shows in the same categories as in 2014. In fact, Bourdain made his a three-year streak, taking home the honor for best on-location program for public television’s “The Mind of a Chef” every year since 2013.
Garten was once again named outstanding host for her Food Network series “Barefoot Contessa,” while Stewart took another win for in-studio program with public television’s “Martha Stewart’s Cooking School.”
The Beard Foundation’s awards — announced Friday evening during a ceremony in New York — honor those who follow in the footsteps of Beard, considered the dean of American cooking when he died in 1985. Friday’s ceremony named winners in media and publishing; a separate ceremony on May 4 will be held in Chicago for chefs and restaurants.
David Sterling’s evocative exploration of the Yucatan Peninsula, “Yucatan: Recipes from a Culinary Expedition,” was named cookbook of the year, as well as best international cookbook. Prolific food writer Barbara Kafka was added to the foundation’s cookbook hall of fame. Kafka’s work has spanned generations and trends, from “Microwave Gourmet” in the ‘80s to her 2011 ode to gluten-free cooking, “The Intolerant Gourmet.”
Chefs across the Souteasth continue to reinvent the region’s cuisine, earning it well-deserved national prominence. So it was fitting that Sean Brock’s fresh take on Southern cuisine — “Heritage” — won best cookbook for American cooking. Brock, who won a 2010 Beard award for best chef in the Southeast, is best known for his Charleston, South Carolina, restaurants, Husk and McCrady’s.
Garten, Stewart and Bourdain sweep food TV awards
Garten, Stewart and Bourdain sweep food TV awards
Essex man takes on charity endurance challenge for children in Gaza
- Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual Sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 2,287 miles
LONDON: A man in England has launched a demanding charity challenge to raise funds for children affected by the war in Gaza.
Mark Watson, 63, is undertaking a “virtual sumud” journey from his Essex home town in Harlow to Gaza, covering 3,680 km running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing.
He is raising money for Medical Aid for Palestinians, a UK-based humanitarian organization that provides healthcare to Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied territories.
“I have felt helpless day after day seeing images of countless children in Gaza with broken bodies and missing limbs and witnessing their unbearable suffering,” Watson said on his JustGiving page.
“I have been inspired by the courage of those who took part in the global sumud flotilla and all of the activists who have put their lives and freedom at risk supporting the Palestinian people and so I am raising funds for Medical Aid for Palestinians.
“My challenge is to complete a virtual sumud from Harlow, where I live, to Gaza. Running, walking, swimming, cycling and rowing I will cover the 2,287 miles as quickly as I can.
“I am an unfit, overweight 63-year-old, so I’m not going to break any records, but the Arabic word Sumud means steadfastness and perseverance, and I will give it my all.
Watson added: “I hope to be joined by people I love and admire along the way, so please support my fundraiser. Every donation, however small, will help save the lives of Palestinians.”
As of Jan. 3, his fundraising effort had reached 12 per cent of its £5,000 ($6,733) target.
The war in Gaza began after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on southern Israel, in which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel responded with a large-scale military campaign in Gaza, which local health authorities say has resulted in the deaths of more than 71,000 Palestinians, widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure and a severe humanitarian crisis.
International aid agencies have repeatedly said that children are among the most affected, facing injury, displacement, malnutrition and limited access to medical care.
Watson said he was inspired by activists and humanitarian efforts supporting Palestinians and hopes his challenge can make a small contribution to saving lives.
