Each year, the James Beard Foundation, the legacy of the "Dean of American Cookery" James Beard, hands out awards for leaders in the U.S. food industry. The 2012 James Beard Awards (JBAs) were given out during ceremonies on May 4 and May 7, 2012, with the ones on the latter date honoring the USA's best chefs and restaurants.

Following is a re-cap of the James Beard 2012 chef and restaurant winners should you wish to consider one of these restaurants for your U.S.

travel agenda. Most winners for 2012 are located in New York City or Chicago, but there are several other restaurants and chefs from around the country that were cited by the JBAs for their excellence. For additional information on the 2012 Awards, visit the James Beard Foundation website.

Award Highlights for the 2012 JBAs

Outstanding Chef: Daniel Humm, Eleven Madison Park, New York City

Outstanding Restaurant:Boulevard, San Francisco

Rising Star Chef: Christina Tosi, Momofuku Milk Bar, New York City

Best New Restaurant:Next, Chicago
Rest of the Best

Outstanding Pastry Chef: Mindy Segal, Mindy’s Hot Chocolate, Chicago

Outstanding Service: La Grenouille, New York City

Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional, Paul Grieco, Terroir, New York City

Outstanding Wine Program: No. 9 Park, Boston

Outstanding Bar Program: PDT, New York City
Best Regional Chef Awards

Great Lakes: Bruce Sherman, North Pond, Chicago

Mid-Atlantic: Maricel Presilla, Cucharamama, Hoboken, N.J.

Midwest: Tory Miller, L’Etoile, Madison, Wisconsin

New York City: Michael Anthony, Gramercy Tavern, New York City

Northeast: Tim Cushman, O Ya, Boston

Northwest: Matt Dillon, Sitka & Spruce, Seattle

Pacific: Matt Molina, Osteria Mozza, Los Angeles

South: Chris Hastings, Hot and Hot Fish Club, Birmingham, Alabama

Southeast: Hugh Acheson, Five and Ten, Athens, Georgia; Linton Hopkins, Restaurant Eugene, Atlanta

Southwest: Paul Qui, Uchiko, Austin, Texas
James Beard Foundation America’s Classics - "The America’s Classics award is given to restaurants with timeless appeal and that are beloved for quality food that reflects the character of their community"

The Fry Bread House, Phoenix

Nora’s Fish Creek Inn, Wilson, Wyoming

St. Elmo Steak House, Indianapolis

Jones Bar-B-Q Diner, Marianna, Arkansas

Shady Glen, Manchester, Connecticut