Bakers will be honored by James Beard Foundation

The James Beard Foundation is finally giving the nation's bakers some love.

Today it announced it has added a new Outstanding Baker category to the annual awards ceremony.

The Outstanding Pastry Chef category will remain.

Beard Awards, honoring chefs, restaurant owners, beverage professionals and journalists, are considered the culinary industry's most prestigious recognition program.

"The Outstanding Baker award grew from our desire to honor those professionals working beyond the restaurant dessert realm," said Restaurant and Chef Awards committee chair Phil Vettel.

"Along with Outstanding Pastry Chef, this award acknowledges the vitality of the pastry and baking professions, in restaurants and in bakeries of many kinds, and the importance of bread and dessert to the dining experience."

There also are two other new categories for the Book, Broadcast, and Journalism Awards, which honor the nation's top cookbook authors, culinary broadcast producers and hosts, and food journalists. They include Broadcast Media: Podcast and Visual and Technical Excellence.

The Foundation said the call for entries for the 2015 James Beard Foundation Awards opened Oct. 15.

To submit an entry or to view the full list of 2015 James Beard Foundation Awards programs and deadlines, visit jamesbeard.org/awards.

Finalists for every award category will be revealed on March 24, 2015.

The James Beard Foundation Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception have moved from New York City. The award ceremony will be May 4, 2015, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.