One Texan finalist has emerged victorious in the national categories at the prestigious James Beard Awards. Arjav Ezekiel of Birdie's took home the award for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service. This was more than an accomplishment of national importance; it was also the first time the award has ever been given.

The James Beard Foundation describes the winner as:

"A service professional who curates and serves wine, beer, or other offerings such as sake, low- and non-alcoholic beverages in a restaurant or bar setting; or winery, distillery or brewery that also serves food. Candidate has set high standards; demonstrates creativity and consistency in excellence, innovation, hospitality; is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture; and has served as an exceptional example or mentor for other beverage professionals."

Ezekiel certainly fits the bill. At Birdie's, a widely renowned restaurant bridging the gap between a casual atmosphere and fine dining, he and his wife, executive chef Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel, serve as dual faces for this feat of homey excellence. He's been nationally recognized for his achievements in wine by in Esquire, but is known locally for keeping the wine list and the restaurant as a whole accessible, focusing on hospitality above all, and always being ready on social media with a hot industry take.

Similarly, his acceptance speech touched on his personal connection to a hot political topic right now: immigration. As walk-off music started to swell over his speech, he playfully, but firmly refused to yield: "Guys, I'm finishing this speech."

“The story of how I ended up on this stage is an unlikely one but not an uncommon one,” said Ezekiel, as quoted by Restaurant Business. “It’s the story of undocumented immigrants. I remember feeling like the walls could close in at any minute when I was undocumented, the ever-present fear of having my family ripped away from me … For all the bad people in this world, my life has taught me there are far more good ones. Restaurant workers are the best of humanity.”

Ezekiel has not yet commented on the win on social media, but he has shared many posts by friends, many of whom were proud to shed tears at his speech.

Arjav Ezekiel discusses the win after the ceremony.Getty

Although Ezekiel claimed Texas' only national win, there is a category dedicated just to Texans. Best Chef: Texas went to Thomas Bille of Belly of the Beast in Spring, a suburb of Houston. Belly of the Beast specializes in global flavors and refined techniques, and came about because of a bold second try after the first iteration closed.

Three more Texans won special awards. Chad Houser, who founded Cafe Momentum in Dallas, received the Humanitarian of the Year Award. Houston-based journalist Toni Tipton-Martin, who was a founding member of the Southern Foodways Alliance and Foodways Texas, received the Lifetime Achievement Award.