Chicago, IL (June 2026) – The Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation and its community restaurant program, JBJ Soul Kitchen, are proud to announce that they have been recognized with a 2026 James Beard Foundation Impact Award, one of the culinary industry’s highest honors. The Impact Awards recognize changemakers who are creating a more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable food system for communities across the country.
“We are honored and humbled to be recognized by the James Beard Foundation with this Impact Award. We salute all our fellow recipients as well as all of those who work in the culinary industry. We are grateful for this recognition, but the true reward is the work,” said Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi.
Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation launched JBJ Soul Kitchen in 2011 with a simple yet powerful mission, ensuring that everyone has access to a healthy, nutritious meal while fostering dignity, connection, and community.
What began as Dorothea Bongiovi’s vision to address food insecurity with dignity has grown into a network of JBJ Soul Kitchen community restaurants across New Jersey, where guests can Pay It Forward or volunteer for their meal. Since opening its doors, JBJ Soul Kitchen has served more than 234,000 meals, with 58% earned through volunteering. Beyond addressing food insecurity, the program connects guests with resources including employment assistance, housing support, mental health services, and community outreach programs.
The James Beard Foundation selected the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation as one of the national recipients of the 2026 Impact Award. Honorees were recognized during the James Beard Awards celebrations in Chicago on June 14 – 15, 2026.
To learn more about JBJ Soul Kitchen and its mission to fight food insecurity while building community, visit:
Watch the James Beard Foundation feature video with Dorothea and Jon Bon Jovi:
LINK TO VIDEO
To learn more about JBJ Soul Kitchen and support our mission of serving healthy, nutritious meals with dignity and respect to all who walk through our doors, visit: https://square.link/u/p6wZsthY.
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 15: Dorothea Bongiovi and Jon Bon Jovi attend the 2026 James Beard Restaurant And Chef Awards on June 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for the James Beard Foundation)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 15: (L-R) Sean Sherman, Jeannette Zanipatin, Dorothea Bongiovi, Jon Bon Jovi, Ben Ray Luján, Jesse Fink, Jesse Fink, Chris Shepherd, Lindsey Brown and Chris Shepherd speak onstage during the 2026 James Beard Restaurant And Chef Awards on June 15, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jeff Schear/Getty Images for the James Beard Foundation)
Photo Credit: JBF | Galdones Photography
