In a notable celebration of vegetable-centric cuisine, Tenderheart by Hetty Lui McKinnon has been honoured with the 2024 James Beard Foundation Book Award in the Vegetable-Focused Cooking category. Tenderheart stands out as a culinary masterpiece that weaves together a spectacular array of flavours, showcasing vegetables as the centerpiece of the dining table.

Hetty’s book is more than a collection of recipes; it is a narrative rich with personal anecdotes and a deep appreciation for the role of food in bringing people together. Her approach elevates the concept of vegetable-focused cooking to new heights, blending her Chinese-Australian heritage with a forward-thinking perspective on health and sustainability.

This award is a testament to McKinnon’s creativity and her ability to inspire a deeper connection with the foods we eat. It highlights a growing movement towards plant-based dining and the important role that vegetables can play in creating nutritious, sustainable, and flavorful meals.

As the culinary world celebrates this achievement, Tenderheart is poised to influence how we think about and engage with vegetable-centric cooking, encouraging more people to explore the endless possibilities that plant-based cuisine offers.

Read more about the award and the books nominated here.