U of G geography professor Evan Fraser has been nominated for a James Beard Foundation Award — considered “the Oscars of food” — for his book Empires of Food: Feast, Famine and the Rise and Fall of Civilizations.

Fraser was nominated in the writing and literature category. The awards are considered the most prestigious recognition program in the United States for professionals in the food and beverage industry. They are named for the late James Beard, a cookbook author and teacher known for being a champion of American cuisine and for educating and mentoring generations of professional chefs and food enthusiasts.

Winners will be announced May 6 in New York City.