The head chef and general manager of the Pheasant Restaurant accepted his James Beard Award at a ceremony in Chicago.
The James Beard Foundation celebrated Michael Johnson and the restaurant's Assistant General Manager Trevor Clements at the ceremony.
The restaurant is one of only six recipients of this year’s America’s Classics Award.
The Pheasant—founded as a gas station cafe in 1949—is Brookings' oldest full-service restaurant. Its menu showcases South Dakota-inspired dishes, including pheasant, bison, and Nordic waffles, among others.
“I love that my daily gig involves curating an authentic but adventurous eastern South Dakota experience for locals and visitors from all over," said Johnson. "The Pheasant has fed more than just stomachs for generations. Going out for food or drinks is about joy, comfort, and togetherness. We all need to spend more time sitting around that kind of table."
The James Beard Awards recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries.
