In 2002, Barber was named one of the Best New Chefs by Food and Wine Magazine . He received many James Beard Foundation awards. In 2006, Best Chef: New York City and in 2009, Outstanding Chef. The James Beard Foundation also named him the top chef in America in 2009.Also in 2009, he was named one of the world’s most influential people in Time Magazine's annual Time 100. His restaurant, Blue Hill in New York City, has also been recognized as one of GAYOT.com's Top 40 Restaurants in the U.S.

Barber has written on many food and agricultural policies, which have appeared in the New York Times, Gourmet, The Nation, Saveur, and Food and Wine Magazine. His writings pertain to creating a consciousness about the effects of everyday food choices and food sustainability.In February 2010, Barber gave a talk at the TED Conference where he outlined his discovery of extensively farmed fish at Veta La Palma. Barber was appointed by President Obama to serve on the President’s Council on Physical Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition and is also a member of the Advisory Board to the Harvard Medical School Center for Health and The Global Environment.