Latest news with #Sullivans
Forbes
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
James Beard America's Classics 2025: 3 Winners' Stories
The eager crowd outside Sullivan's on Castle Island isn't just waiting for a lobster roll; they're ... More stepping into an enduring tradition. This Boston landmark, a 2025 James Beard America's Classic, embodies the spirit of community and lasting impact shared by all six honorees, including Dooky Chase's and Lucky Wishbone, two others featured in this piece. In an era where the food world constantly reinvents itself, the James Beard America's Classics award celebrates a rarer, more profound achievement: restaurants that stay rooted. While the annual Restaurant and Chef Awards often spotlight innovation, precision, and new narratives of taste, this particular category recognizes places that have done something quieter—but no less impactful. They've endured, and they've fed communities across generations. And they've done it without chasing the spotlight. This year, the esteemed America's Classics award recognized six remarkable establishments: Dooky Chase's Restaurant in New Orleans, Lucky Wishbone in Anchorage, Sullivan's Castle Island in Boston, Lem's Bar-B-Q in Chicago, The Pioneer Saloon in Ketchum, Idaho, and Gaido's in Galveston, Texas. I had the unique opportunity to speak directly with three of these winners. What I heard from them wasn't just gratitude. It was something deeper: reflections on legacy, community, and the power of a shared table. Dooky Chase's Restaurant (New Orleans, LA) For 80+ years, Dooky Chase's has been a living archive of culture and community in New Orleans. We ... More spoke with Stella Chase Reese, Tracie Haydel Griffin, and Chef Edgar 'Dook' Chase IV about their 2025 James Beard America's Classics win and enduring family legacy. There's something humbling about watching a family receive an award for work they've done for over 80 years without asking for recognition. When I spoke with members of the Chase family—Stella Chase Reese, Tracie Haydel Griffin, and Chef Edgar 'Dooky' Chase IV—they described the honor not just as an achievement, but as a moment of deep reflection. 'The restaurant has been our lives,' Chase Reese said. 'We were born into it.' That sense of birthright isn't just biological—it's cultural. Stella, the daughter of Leah Chase, has watched Dooky Chase evolve across decades. Tracie, Leah's granddaughter, helps run the front of house today, while Edgar IV, her great-grandson, now leads the kitchen. Together, they represent three generations still at work in the same space, carrying forward a legacy that has long extended beyond the plate. Dooky Chase didn't just serve food; it served as a meeting ground during the civil rights movement, a living archive of Black culinary brilliance, and a testament to what it means to feed people with purpose. 'We want guests to feel like they've been fed in the home of the Chase family,' Haydel Griffin said. And it's not just about the gumbo or the fried chicken, but about feeling loved—about being seen. When asked what being named an American Classic says about their place in the country's culinary canon, the answer came without hesitation. 'Food is culture, food is history, food is tradition,' Edgar Chase IV shared. 'Food brings people together over a common bond.' In other words, this win isn't just a nod to the past—it's a call to keep setting the table for what's next. Lucky Wishbone (Anchorage, AK) his Anchorage institution has made generations feel at home for 70 years. Heidi Heinrich-Lervaag, ... More Carolina Stacey, and Patricia Brown-Heller shared what makes Lucky Wishbone a 2025 James Beard America's Classic. Some restaurants make a name for themselves. Others, like Lucky Wishbone, become part of the names people pass down—etched into childhoods, family rituals, and homecomings. 'Anybody that lives in Alaska brings people to Lucky Wishbone,' said Heidi Heinrich-Lervaag, who co-owns the restaurant alongside Carolina Stacey and Patricia Brown-Heller. 'It's part of their childhood. It's what they grew up with.' 'This year marks our 70th anniversary,' Brown-Heller said. 'It's validation for what you've been doing for so long. You can't describe it in words. It just feels right.' Her parents, Peg and George Brown, founded the restaurant in 1955. What they are part of is not just a menu—it's a community landmark that reflects Anchorage's rich cultural mix. Stacey, who began working at Lucky Wishbone when she was just 16, now helps lead the restaurant she once served in as a teenager. 'Anchorage is a multicultural city,' she said. 'We have more than 120 languages spoken in our schools. Our customers and our employees reflect that.' The food, however, remains beautifully unchanged. The fried chicken recipe dates back over a hundred years. The Cheeseburger Deluxe is still what regulars swear by. And the frozen strawberry milkshake? 'We're known for our milkshakes. Over 40 flavors—and people love to mix and match,' said Stacey. 'The strawberry is the one people remember.' That, perhaps, is the secret to their longevity. Lucky Wishbone doesn't just serve burgers and chicken—it serves a sense of connection and care, built over decades. 'Families come in together,' Brown-Heller said. 'Grandparents, parents, kids. And now those kids are bringing their kids. That's what makes it a classic.' Sullivan's Castle Island (Boston, MA) Where the line is the point and everyone's invited. Brendan Sullivan of Sullivan's Castle Island ... More shares why this Boston landmark, famous for 70+ years, is now a 2025 James Beard America's Classic. Get insights into their unique philosophy. For more than 70 years, Sullivan's Castle Island—known simply as Sully's—has been where Bostonians go to mark a moment. A seasonal stop for smash burgers, crinkle-cut fries, and lobster rolls, it's also where generations have brought their kids after Little League games, or grabbed lunch on a walk by the water, or found a familiar face behind the counter. Now, it's an America's Classic. 'We're just so honored,' said Brendan Sullivan, part of the fourth generation in the family to run the stand. 'It's truly an unbelievable experience, and we're thrilled that a place like Sully's could be recognized.' The beauty of Sullivan's, his wife Adrienne Sullivan explained, isn't just the food—it's the feel. 'The sense of community is what makes it special,' she said. 'Regardless of how long you've lived in Boston or whether it's your first day there, everybody stands in line like everybody else. There are no VIPs. If you're not sure what to order, just ask the person behind you or in front of you. Everybody comes in a stranger and leaves as friends.' That idea of shared space—of connection across difference—isn't just nostalgic. It's central to what Sully's represents. 'I think it's that sense of community, regardless of where you come from,' Adrienne said. 'Anybody who's worked in hospitality understands how hard restaurant workers work, and we're just humbled to be recognized on behalf of everyone who's walked through our doors—whether it was their first job out of high school, they were putting themselves through college, or making a living in the industry. Restaurants create that kind of personal connection, and that's something we need now more than ever.' Why These Stories Matter CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 16: (L-R) Nicholas Gaido, Edgar Chase, Stella Chase Reese, Carolina Stacey, ... More Heidi Heinrich-Lervaag and Brendan Sullivan winners of the America's Classics award speak on stage during the 2025 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards on June 16, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo byfor James Beard Foundation) Not every restaurant is built to scale; some are built to stay. And the America's Classics award recognizes that kind of staying power—rooted in place, carried through people, and held together by memory, not marketing. The families behind Dooky Chase's, Lucky Wishbone, and Sullivan's Castle Island—like their fellow 2025 honorees Lem's Bar-B-Q, The Pioneer Saloon, and Gaido's—aren't chasing reinvention. They're showing up, year after year, for their communities, offering a quiet masterclass in enduring success. In a food world that often rewards what's new and trendy, these restaurants stand as powerful reminders of the profound value in what truly holds. Their authenticity isn't a marketing strategy; it's a living tradition. They serve not just meals, but belonging, fostering connections that span generations and cultures. Their presence matters—not just because of the iconic dishes they serve, but because of who they continue to serve, and how they remain unwavering anchors in a constantly shifting landscape. In an age seeking meaning and connection, the enduring table of an American Classic offers a deeply satisfying answer. This year's full list of James Beard America's Classics award winners includes: You can view the full list of this year's America's Classics winners on the James Beard Foundation site.
San Francisco Chronicle
18-06-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
How the US has shifted military jets and ships in the Middle East
WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. is shifting military aircraft and warships into and around the Middle East to protect Israel from Iranian attacks as President Donald Trump warns Tehran to step back from the conflict. Trump's social media posts saying his patience with Iran was 'wearing thin" have raised the possibility of deepening U.S. involvement, perhaps by using its bunker-busting bomb to strike a key Iranian nuclear site built deep underground in the mountains. Israel doesn't have the massive munition it would take to destroy the Fordo nuclear fuel enrichment plant, or the aircraft needed to deliver it. Only the U.S. does. Here's a look at the U.S. military presence in the Middle East: US aircraft moving to the Middle East In a social media post, Trump warned that 'we now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran.' U.S. officials insisted as of Tuesday that the American military has not taken any offensive actions against Iran, only defensive strikes to take out incoming Iranian missiles to protect Israel. Additional U.S. fighter jets and refueling tankers have been deployed to the region, but officials have declined to provide specific numbers. Fighter jets have joined in launching strikes to defend Israel, but officials said Tuesday that no American aircraft were over Iran. Aurora Intel, a group that reviews open source information in real time in the Middle East, said the U.S. Air Force had put additional refueling aircraft and fighter jets in strategic locations across Europe, including England, Spain, Germany and Greece. The information was obtained from public aviation tracking websites. U.S. fighter jets have been patrolling the skies around the Middle East to protect personnel and installations, and bases in the region are on heightened alert and are taking additional security precautions, the officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss military operations. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has not provided any details, but said on Fox News Channel late Monday that the military movements were to 'ensure that our people are safe.' Warships taking out Iranian missiles and ready to protect US bases American warships also are shooting down Iranian ballistic missiles targeting Israel, with the USS The Sullivans and the USS Arleigh Burke launching strikes over the weekend. The Sullivans has been joined in the Eastern Mediterranean by the USS Thomas Hudner this week to continue those defense strikes, while the Arleigh Burke has moved away from the area, according to a U.S. official. The USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier is in the Arabian Sea with the four warships in its strike group. They are not participating in the defense of Israel. But they are positioned to provide security for U.S. troops and bases along the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf. The USS Nimitz has been long scheduled to take over for the Carl Vinson and is heading west from the Indo-Pacific region toward the Middle East. The official said it is slated to arrive in the region by the end of the month, and the two carriers would likely overlap at least for a short time before the Vinson heads home to San Diego. There also are destroyers in the Red Sea, and others are based in the Western Mediterranean and participating in exercises in the Baltic Sea. US troops are on heightened alert and families are allowed to leave The forces in the region have been taking precautionary measures for days, including having military dependents voluntarily leave bases, in anticipation of potential strikes and to protect personnel in case of a large-scale response from Tehran. Officials said they were not aware of many families actually leaving. Typically around 30,000 troops are based in the Middle East, and about 40,000 troops are in the region now, according to a U.S. official. That number surged as high as 43,000 last October in response to heightened tensions between Israel and Iran as well as continuous attacks on commercial and military ships in the Red Sea by the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The B-2 and the bunker buster The Air Force's B-2 Spirit stealth bomber is the only aircraft that can carry the 30,000-pound GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator, known as the bunker buster. The powerful bomb uses its weight and sheer kinetic force to reach deeply buried targets — and then explode. There are currently no B-2 bombers in the Middle East region, although there are B-52 bombers based at Diego Garcia, and they can deliver smaller munitions. AP writer Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel, contributed to this report.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Why is the USS The Sullivans' dry docking being delayed?
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — While the USS The Sullivans have survived war, time and tens of thousands of miles, another winter Buffalo's waterfront may be its most dangerous battle yet. The community, Buffalo city leaders and Paul Marzello, the president of the Buffalo and Erie County Naval and Military Park, spoke about what is hopefully in store for future restoration efforts after the announcement of another dry docking delay. 'We've got $21 million to move forward and we're getting the question all the time. 'Why aren't we moving forward?' Marzello said. 'The simple answer is, we don't control the process. The city owns the ships. The city owns the buildings. The city owns the grounds. It's a city park.' After the ships partially sank in April, 14, 2022, New York State Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes announced $500,000 and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer secured $7.5 million in funding for repairs. Gov. Kathy Hochul also announced $10 million to repair the ships in August 2024. Marzello said due to holdups on the city level of insurance and 'administrative challenges,' plans to drydock and restore the historic ships have been pushed back to October 2026 at the earliest. He also said the city and the council chose a marine engineering firm in February to handle the project. 'That's where we are now. Nothing has been done for the last four months,' he said. ' It's very frustrating for our board, for us as an organization.' 'The city is moving diligently to put over $20 million in funding towards this project,' said Nate Marton, Buffalo's Department of Public Workers commissioner, in a statement WIVB News 4. Marton said there are no deadlines in place that the city has missed at this time. Buffalo Common Council Member Mitch Nowakowski said he works closely with the naval park and understands this is a big task. 'That's where I'm going to step in as a district member to say, 'Hey, where are we and how do we move this timeline to make sure that these assets are protected?' Nowakowski said. 'Why I have such confidence in the naval park is the dedication they have on their board and their executive director, so if they're showing us engineering reports that there needs to be an expeditious timeline to make sure that these are saved, I'm yielding to their expertise.' Visitors of the naval park said on Wednesday that they believe the ships need to be cared for to ensure they don't just become a part of Buffalo's past history. 'My grandpa was in the Navy and it was his captain's ship and I remember hearing stories from him, so [it's] really cool just to be able to visit the history and explore the area,' said Hamburg resident Hannah Meader. Others said the ships should remain in Buffalo. 'The history behind the Sullivans — every mother's heartbreak is in that ship. We really need to keep this — the ships, the planes, everything,' said Akron resident Margie Keller. 'It's so important for history for everybody to remember and for the little kids that don't know about it, it's just phenomenal. It breaks my heart to think we might lose them.' City leaders and naval park officials said they have similar goals in mind when it comes to the restoration project. To see all of News 4's past coverage on the USS The Sullivans, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
I transformed my council house garden into an extra parking space to help neighbours but people pointed out same issue
And scroll down to see how the family respond to trolls who claim they're 'jobless spongers on benefits' DIY DRIVE I transformed my council house garden into an extra parking space to help neighbours but people pointed out same issue A DAD-OF-12 has revealed his freebie garden makeover after converting it into an extra parking space - all to stay on his neighbours' good side. Ben, 50, and Zoe Sullivan, 46, and their bumper brood make up one of Scotland's biggest families. 4 The Sullivans have 12 children and stay in a six-bedroom house Credit: The Sullivans The pair are parents to Elizabeth, 20, Olivia, 18, Noah, 15, Eva, 13, Toby, 12, Agnes, seven, Joseph, six, Flo, three, and two sets of twins, Charlotte and Isabelle, 17, and Leah and Erin, nine. They live in a six-bedroom council house in Burghead, Moray, where they regularly document their hectic lives on their YouTube channel. After buying a Fiat 500 as a "runaround car" for their eldest daughters, the couple were worried they were taking too much on-street parking away from their neighbours They already have two people carriers for ferrying around the whole family on day trips and holidays, and only had room for one car in their driveway. And they feared that having two cars parked on the street could create an issue. Ben said: "Since the girls have now got their car, the issue with parking is raising its head. "We don't want to take the mickey. We don't want to take up too much space outside because obviously it's a cul-de-sac. "There's lots of houses and most homes these days have cars and some two cars and it's just creating a bit of a traffic jam out there. "What we don't want to do is just to overtake an entire road with cars." As a solution, they decided to sacrifice their spare front garden space and converted it into another parking spot instead. I'm fuming after nosy neighbours left note on my car asking my 'plans for parking', despite having a four-car driveway Ben said the decision "improves curb appeal and makes their council home more functional". In a recent video, he documented his one-day transformation of the front garden - and it didn't cost a penny. Alongside sons Noah and Toby, Ben removed the front garden fence, digged out the deep fence posts and filled the holes with mud and stones that were already in the garden. Their job was made easier as the council had already removed half of the fence to accommodate for sewage works. And Ben "got the green light" from officials to remove the rest of the fencing too. Showing off the finished results, the delighted dad said: "That just leaves the little runabout just parked near to our house so it just saves a lot on space. "We're not taking up too much space and we've actually got a place to park." 4 Ben removed the fence from their front garden to convert it into a parking space Credit: Youtube/The Sullivans 4 They had to dig out the deep fence posts Credit: Youtube/The Sullivans 4 The finished result means the Sullivans can now park two cars in the drive Credit: Youtube/The Sullivans But after sharing the transformation on social media, people were quick to point out a potential issue. "You need a dropped kerb now putting in which is an expensive job", one person said. Somebody else chimed in: "I guess if the kerb isn't dropped you run the risk of being blocked in if someone parks there?" And a third added: "Some jealous eejit will report for not having a drop kerb and removing the fence/posts." But Ben insisted that: the kerb is "partially dropped already" and added: "It's fine for now." "I put an application in with the council, plus it was the council who removed half the fence for us in the first place ️ "People will always try and trip us up unfortunately there are little bullies everywhere." Social media support Other people, however, were full of praise for the savvy dad's DIY project. One said: "Wow, I bet it will make a huge difference getting the cars on the drive! Much easier for you all... easier to load up... and safer off the road. Great job all." Someone else wrote: "Great job on the driveway, hopefully will make a difference especially now with the girls car. Well done to your helpers too." "Nice you can park on the drive now. So considerate of you as you have three cars", chimed in a third. A fourth agreed: "Front is looking good, much better use of the space in the front, and leaves the street less crowded." "Great job converting it into a driveway!! Looks really good!!" gushed a fifth. And a sixth said: "That's a great idea parking the two bigger cars in the driveway and the wee Fiat on the street it would be lovely if more neighbours were thoughtful like this and considered others." The garden renovation comes after the Sullivans were forced to hit back at trolls who claim they're jobless spongers on benefits - insisting they couldn't be more wrong. Zoe was faced with hateful messages after revealing she spends £400 on the weekly food shop. Opening up about the hate, Zoe said: "There is this assumption that number one, we don't work and number two we bring in mass incomes on benefits and then spend it all on rubbish. "People seem to be so angry at large families, [they] just assume you have children and you suddenly become a sponge on society. "We pay our taxes, we pay our bills, we pay our council tax, we pay our rent, we pay all that stuff." "Obviously getting us by, there's 14 of us, it takes quite a lot of money. But we budget, we make ends meet."
The Irish Sun
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
I transformed my council house garden into an extra parking space to help neighbours but people pointed out same issue
A DAD-OF-12 has revealed his freebie garden makeover after converting it into an extra parking space - all to stay on his neighbours' good side. Ben, 50, and Zoe Sullivan, 46, and their bumper brood make up one of Scotland's Advertisement 4 The Sullivans have 12 children and stay in a six-bedroom house Credit: The Sullivans The pair are parents to Elizabeth, 20, Olivia, 18, Noah, 15, Eva, 13, Toby, 12, Agnes, seven, Joseph, six, Flo, three, and two sets of twins, Charlotte and Isabelle, 17, and Leah and Erin, nine. They live in a six-bedroom council house in Burghead, Moray, where they regularly document their hectic lives on After buying a Fiat 500 as a "runaround car" for their eldest daughters, the couple were worried they were taking too much on-street parking away from their neighbours They already have two people carriers for ferrying around the whole family on day trips and holidays, and only had room for one car in their driveway. Advertisement And they feared that having two cars parked on the street could create an issue. Ben said: "Since the girls have now got their car, the issue with parking is raising its head. "We don't want to take the mickey. We don't want to take up too much space outside because obviously it's a cul-de-sac. "There's lots of houses and most homes these days have cars and some two cars and it's just creating a bit of a traffic jam out there. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous "What we don't want to do is just to overtake an entire road with cars." As a solution, they decided to sacrifice their spare front garden space and converted it into another parking spot instead. I'm fuming after nosy neighbours left note on my car asking my 'plans for parking', despite having a four-car driveway Ben said the decision "improves curb appeal and makes their council home more functional". In a recent video, he documented his one-day transformation of the front garden - and it didn't cost a penny. Advertisement Alongside sons Noah and Toby, Ben removed the front garden fence, digged out the deep fence posts and filled the holes with mud and stones that were already in the garden. Their job was made easier as the council had already removed half of the fence to accommodate for sewage works. And Ben "got the green light" from officials to remove the rest of the fencing too. Showing off the finished results, the delighted dad said: "That just leaves the little runabout just parked near to our house so it just saves a lot on space. Advertisement "We're not taking up too much space and we've actually got a place to park." 4 Ben removed the fence from their front garden to convert it into a parking space Credit: Youtube/The Sullivans 4 They had to dig out the deep fence posts Credit: Youtube/The Sullivans 4 The finished result means the Sullivans can now park two cars in the drive Credit: Youtube/The Sullivans Advertisement But after sharing the transformation on social media, people were quick to point out a potential issue. " You need a dropped kerb now putting in which is an expensive job ", one person said. Somebody else chimed in: " I guess if the kerb isn't dropped you run the risk of being blocked in if someone parks there? " And a third added: "Some jealous eejit will report for not having a drop kerb and removing the fence/posts." Advertisement But Ben insisted that: the kerb is "partially dropped already" and added: "It's fine for now." "I put an application in with the council, plus it was the council who removed half the fence for us in the first place ️ "People will always try and trip us up unfortunately there are little bullies everywhere." Social media support Other people, however, were full of praise for the savvy dad's DIY project. Advertisement One said: "Wow, I bet it will make a huge difference getting the cars on the drive! Much easier for you all... easier to load up... and safer off the road. Great job all." Someone else wrote: "Great job on the driveway, hopefully will make a difference especially now with the girls car. Well done to your helpers too." "Nice you can park on the drive now. So considerate of you as you have three cars", chimed in a third. A fourth agreed: "Front is looking good, much better use of the space in the front, and leaves the street less crowded." Advertisement "Great job converting it into a driveway!! Looks really good!!" gushed a fifth. And a sixth said: "That's a great idea parking the two bigger cars in the driveway and the wee Fiat on the street it would be lovely if more neighbours were thoughtful like this and considered others." The garden renovation comes after the Sullivans were forced to hit back at trolls who claim they're jobless spongers on benefits - insisting they couldn't be more wrong. Advertisement Zoe was faced with hateful messages after revealing she Opening up about the hate, Zoe said: "There is this assumption that number one, we don't work and number two we bring in mass incomes on benefits and then spend it all on rubbish. "People seem to be so angry at large families, [they] just assume you have children and you suddenly become a sponge on society. Read more on the Irish Sun "We pay our taxes, we pay our bills, we pay our council tax, we pay our rent, we pay all that stuff." Advertisement "Obviously getting us by, there's 14 of us, it takes quite a lot of money. But we budget, we make ends meet."
