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
- Krista Cole, Sur Lie and Gather Restaurant, Portland, ME
Outstanding Chef
- Rachel Miller, Nightshade Noodle Bar, Lynn, MA
Outstanding Restaurant
- Red Rose Restaurant, Lowell, MA
- PAGU, Cambridge, MA
Emerging Chef
- Vinh Le, Cicada Coffee Bar, Cambridge, MA
Best New Restaurant
- La Royal, Cambridge, MA
- wolfpeach, Camden, ME
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)
- Massachusetts
- Valentine Howell, Krasi, Boston, MA
- Yahya Noor, Tawakal Halal Cafe, Boston, MA
- Yisha Siu, Yunnan Kitchen, Boston, MA
- Derrick Teh, SEKALI, Boston, MA
- Ellie Tiglao, Tanám, Somerville, MA
- Douglass Williams, MIDA, Boston, MA
- Rhode Island
- Milena Pagán, Little Sister, Providence, RI
- Sherry Pocknett, Sly Fox Den Too, Charlestown, RI
- Robert Andreozzi, Pizza Marvin, Providence, RI
- New Hampshire
- Paul Callahan, Vino e Vivo, Exeter, NH
- Jeff Fournier, Thompson House Eatery, Jackson, NH
- Vermont
- Mojo Hancy-Davis, May Day, Burlington, VT
- Alganesh Michael, A Taste of Abyssinia, South Burlington, VT
- Maine
- Sara Jenkins, Nina June, Rockport, ME
- Jason LaVerdiere, Flux, Lisbon Falls, ME
- Courtney Loreg, Woodford Food & Beverage, Portland, ME
- Tony Pastor, Fore Street, Portland, ME
- Isaul Perez, Isa, Portland, ME
- Connecticut
- Christian Hunter, Community Table, Washington, CT
- Renee Touponce, The Port of Call, Mystic, CT