The James Beard Award is the equivalent of The Academy Award in the food world. Receiving a semifinalist ranking is a huge validation of a chef’s incredible talent and craft in the food industry, it’s pretty much a win on its own. The foundation just released its James Beard Award semifinalists from all over North America and we’ve included all of New England’s winners here below.
You can almost guarantee that a meal at one of the below restaurants will never disappoint. Keep them in mind for birthdays or upcoming holidays like Valentine’s! All finalists will be announced on June 5 of this year.
Outstanding Restaurateur
- Cara Stadler and Cecile Stadler, BaoBao Dumpling House, Tao Yuan Restaurant, and ZaoZe Cafe & Market, Portland, ME
- Chris Viaud, Greenleaf, Ansanm, and Pavilion, Milford and Wolfeboro, NH
Outstanding Chef
- Renee Touponce, The Port of Call, Mystic, CT
Outstanding Bakery
- ZU Bakery, Portland, ME
Emerging Chef
- Joe Robbins, Bissell Brothers Three Rivers Kitchen, Milo, ME
Best New Restaurant
- The Alna Store, Alna, ME
- Comfort Kitchen, Dorchester, MA
- Tuxpan Taqueria, Central Falls, RI
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker
- Atsuko Fujimoto, Norimoto Bakery, Portland, ME
Outstanding Hospitality
- The Quarry, Monson, ME
- Sur Lie, Portland, ME
Outstanding Beverages
- Rebel Rebel, Somerville, MA
- Foam Brewers, Burlington, VT
Outstanding Bar
- The Jewel Box, Portland, ME
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
- Rachel Miller, Nightshade Noodle Bar, Lynn, MA
- Tracy Chang, Pagu, Cambridge, MA
- John daSilva, Chickadee, Boston, MA
- Conor Dennehy, Tallula, Cambridge, MA
- Patricia Estorino, Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar, Cambridge, MA
- Cecelia Lizotte, Suya Joint, Boston, MA
- Laurence Louie, Rubato, Quincy, MA
- Celia Bruns, Artemisia Cafe, Portland, ME
- Ian Driscoll, Bar Futo, Portland, ME
- Valerie Goldman, The Honey Paw, Portland, ME
- Jake Stevens, Leeward, Portland, ME
- Peter Carvelli, Foglia, Bristol, RI
- Subat Dilmurat, Jahunger, Providence, RI
- Maria Meza, Dolores, Providence, RI
- Andy Teixeira, Newport Vineyards, Middletown, RI
Basil Yu, Yagi Noodles, Newport, RI
- Cara Chigazola Tobin, Honey Road, Burlington, VT
- Micah Tavelli, Paradiso Hi-Fi, Burlington, VT
- Lee Frank, Otis Restaurant, Exeter, NH
- David Standridge, The Shipwright’s Daughter, Mystic, CT