CHICAGO — After 24 James Beard Foundation nominations, chef Cindy Wolf is taking home her first award.

Wolf finally secured the win — and received her long-awaited medal — on Monday at the James Beard Foundation’s annual ceremony at Chicago’s Lyric Opera.

Her Lowcountry-inspired restaurant, Charleston, was victorious in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category. Other nominees included Bar Brava in Minnesota, Campo at Los Poblanos in New Mexico, March in Texas and Strong Water in California.

Often dubbed “the Oscars of the food world,” the James Beard Awards celebrate excellence across the restaurant and food media industries, from Outstanding Bakery to Distinguished Criticism.

This year marks Wolf’s 25th nomination by the James Beard Foundation over the course of 21 years. She and Charleston have previously been in the running for the Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic and Outstanding Hospitality categories, respectively.

“This is unbelievable,” Wolf said, taking the stage with Charleston’s wine director, Lindsay Willey. She emphasized Willey’s accomplishments in the wine industry.

“I am so proud of Lindsay,” Wolf said at the top of her speech. “I watched her go for being an opening waiter at one of our restaurants to being one of the best, to me, somms in the country.

“Baltimore is lucky to have you in our town,” she said to Willey.

Wolf also took the speech as an opportunity to spotlight the entirety of her kitchen staff, including those with immigrant backgrounds.

“I want to thank every immigrant that works for us,” she said. “We support you so much, and I love every Latino that works for me from the bottom of my heart.”

Willey, who donned the medal, kept it short and sweet.

“This is just wonderful and amazing,” she said. “So, enjoy.”

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