Birmingham Citizen Reaps 2024 Frank Stitt Award for Industry Excellence

Bringing a wave of euphoria, our local resident, Glenn Roberts, Founder of Anson Mills, was awarded the prestigious 2024 Frank Stitt Award for Industry Excellence. Roberts was named as the deserving recipient at an event organised by Birmingham FOOD + Culture Festival owing to his exceptional efforts in preserving and promoting Southern culinary traditions.

Based on Chef Frank Stitt’s Trailblazing Journey

The Frank Stitt award is an annual honourarium named after the notable Chef Frank Stitt. Garnered worldwide attention for his remarkable culinary journey, Stitt is remembered for his undying passion for the foodways of Alabama and the American South. As an eminent figure in the culinary world, he’s the owner and chief chef of multiple acclaimed establishments including the Highlands Bar and Grill, Bottega Restaurant, Bottega Cafe, and Chez Fon Fon, all nestled in Birmingham. Every year, Chef Stitt along with his family, teams up with the FOOD + Culture Festival to felicitate the award winner.

Glenn Roberts: A Game-Changer in the Culinary Landscape

Glenn Roberts, the proud winner of this year’s award, solidified his name in this field with his relentless dedication and visionary ideas. In 1998, he set up Anson Mills in Charleston, Alabama, with a noble mission to revive the forgotten foods that once were the essentials of the 18th and 19th century Southern Pantry. Today, Anson Mills is revered for its artisan ingredients and heralded by chefs and home-cooks worldwide. Also, through its Anson Mills Research Lab, the company extends support to chefs, bakers, brewers, and distillers for culinary research. Complementing its commitment to enhancing the Southern culinary landscape, Anson Mills also offers pro-bono seed biosecurity for Southern organic and landrace crop farmers.

Restored Lost Southern Foods: A True Geneticist at Heart

An ardent supporter of Roberts, Chef Frank Stitt lauds him saying, “To me, Glenn Roberts is one of the most knowledgeable individuals in the food world. With Anson Mills, he has been instrumental in reviving crops like Carolina Gold Rice, Sea Island Peas and an array of Jimmy Red Corn varieties. His foundation Han a geneticist enabled him to scour out these rare southern crop varieties, procure enough seeds and encourage farmers to bring them back into the production line.”

Food + Culture Festival to Celebrate Roberts’ Achievement

The Birmingham FOOD + Culture Festival scheduled from September 19 to 22, 2024, will commemorate Roberts and his milestone achievement. Roberts will be honoured at a special event titled FOOD + Frank that includes a cocktail reception. The esteemed Birmingham Museum of Art will be the venue for this glorious event. Attendees will be treated with delicious food offerings by celebrated local and regional chefs as well as signature drinks and wines curated by Alabama’s only Master Sommelier, Thomas Price.

Event Details:

• Location: The Birmingham Museum of Art
• Date: Thursday, September 19
• Time: 5:30-8:30PM

The early bird tickets for the food-centric festivity FOOD + Frank can be secured starting July 10. The award and event are generating significant buzz locally. What are your thoughts about the award and the event? Do not hesitate to share your opinions.

Note: Book your date for the celebration and join in the revelry as Birmingham gears up its hospitality to celebrate an extraordinary achievement by one of its own.