Chicago chef Erick Williams wins James Beard Award

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The top awards in the culinary world were handed out in Chicago this week: The James Beard Awards. They recognize exceptional talent in the food industry.

The Best Chef award for the Great Lakes region went to Erick Williams of Virtue Restaurant & Bar in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood.

RELATED: James Beard Awards 2022: 9 Chicago restaurants, chefs named as finalists

Chicago has 9 nominees for the 2022 James Beard Awards. The winners will be announced in Chicago this summer.

Virtue is an American restaurant that serves up southern-style dishes.

You can see all of these year's winners here.