Herndon Serves as Judge in the 2022 James Beard Awards

Keith Herndon, a professor of practice in journalism at the University of Georgia, served as a judge in the 2022 James Beard Awards, a program recognizing exceptional talent and achievement in the culinary arts, hospitality, media and broader food systems.

The names of those who served as 2022 judges, referred to as the “voting body,” were released June 29 by the James Beard Foundation.

“It was an exceptional honor to serve as a judge in this prestigious program,” Herndon said. “The James Beard award winners across all categories represent the best of the best and it was a privilege to be part of a rigorous review and selection process.”

Herndon has taught a food journalism course and directed food-related media projects in entrepreneurial journalism and through independent study courses.

He holds the Morris Chair in News Strategy and Management and is Executive Director of the Cox Institute for Journalism Innovation, Management and Leadership. He spent decades in the media as a journalist and technologist before becoming an educator. His Ph.D. in media and information is from Australia’s Curtin University, and he holds a master’s in liberal studies from the University of Oklahoma and a bachelor’s in journalism from UGA.

In recent years, Herndon formalized his interest in wine and spirits earning designations as a Certified Wine Sommelier, Certified Wine Educator and Certified Spirits Professional from the Asia Pacific Wine and Spirit Institute and certification as an American Wine Expert from the Napa Valley Wine Academy. He is the co-host and producer of the “Wines We Drink” podcast along with his colleague Charlotte Norsworthy.

Herndon also teaches and researches in a variety of media disciplines including management, leadership, financial journalism and the business of news.

The James Beard Foundation, based in New York, is a nonprofit organization which promotes is mission “to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability.”

The 2022 awards marked a return following a two-year hiatus as the foundation reviewed its processes and enacted new codes of ethics to guide the awards processes. For a complete list of the 2022 winners, judges and to review the organization’s code of ethics, please visit https://www.jamesbeard.org/awards.