PRESS & AWARDS

Meherwan’s work has earned national press and some of the food world’s highest honors — from a James Beard Award to features in The New York Times, Bon Appétit, and beyond. Explore the coverage and accolades below.

December 7th, 2025

Food & Wine

6 Meherwan Irani Recipes to Channel Chai Pani at Home

May 7th, 2025

Mansion Global

Asheville Chef Meherwan Irani Went From Luxury Real Estate to Culinary Success

April 2nd, 2025

The Bitter Southerner

Kindness Is Greater Than Fear

October 26th, 2022

Vogue India

Chef Meherwan Irani Wins James Beard Award 2022 for Chai Pani, Asheville

August 16th, 2022

Bloomberg

Chai Pani Asheville: What James Beard’s Best Restaurant Says About the US

March 12th, 2020

Bon Appétit

Meherwan Irani Wants to Change Stereotypes About the South, Starting With Dinner

January 21st, 2020

Garden & Gun

Get to Know Meherwan Irani

December 15th, 2018

CBS News

Chef Meherwan Irani on Bringing Indian Cuisine to America

2026

Outstanding Restaurateur

James Beard Foundation

2024

Innovator Award

MenuMasters

2023

Food & Wine Gamechanger

Food & Wine

2022

JBF Outstanding Restaurant

James Beard Foundation

2019

Crystal of Excellence Diversity Leadership Award

GA Restaurant Assoc.

2018

Southerner of the Year

Southern Living

2018

People Changing the South

TIME

Nominee: 5x Best Chef (2014, 15, 18, 19, 20)

James Beard Foundation

Faces of Diversity Award

NC Restaurant & Lodging Association