The James Beard Foundation has announced the long-listers for this years awards, singling out some of the country’s best and brightest up-and-coming cookers, including a few from around these parts. Read on for the full list of potential Best Chef Northeast nominees (spoiler alert: Douglass Williams of MIDA, Valentine Howell of Krasi, Yahya Noor of Tawakal Halal Cafe, Yisha Siu of Yunnan Kitchen, Derrick Teh of SEKALI and Ellie Tiglao of Tanám all got the nod for Massachusetts) and start mapping out your to-do list (more like to-eat list) stat.
A handful of familiar chefs are among the contenders in national categories, too including Rachel Miller of Lynn’s Nightshade Noodle Bar who’s up for Outstanding Chef; and Vinh Le of Cicada Coffee Bar in Cambridge who could be this year’s Emerging Chef. Area restaurants also got some recognition: La Royal in Cambridge is in there for Best New Restaurant; Tracy Chang‘s Pagu in Cambridge and Red Rose Restaurant in Lowell are in the running for Outstanding Restaurant; and this could be the year for Somerville’s Rebel Rebel in the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category.
The pared down list of nominees will drop on Wednesday, March 29th, and this year’s winners will be celebrated at an awards ceremony on Monday, June 5th at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Stay tuned for updates and more info as the big day approaches; in the meantime peep the whole list of semifinalists in all the categories online here.
Best Chef: Northeast (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)
Robert Andreozzi, Pizza Marvin, Providence, RI
Paul Callahan, Vino e Vivo, Exeter, NH
Jeff Fournier, Thompson House Eatery, Jackson, NH
Mojo Hancy-Davis, May Day, Burlington, VT
Valentine Howell, Krasi, Boston, MA
Christian Hunter, Community Table, Washington, CT
Sara Jenkins, Nina June, Rockport, ME
Jason LaVerdiere, Flux, Lisbon Falls, ME
Courtney Loreg, Woodford Food & Beverage, Portland, ME
Alganesh Michael, A Taste of Abyssinia, South Burlington, VT
Yahya Noor, Tawakal Halal Cafe, Boston, MA
Tony Pastor, Fore Street, Portland, ME
Isaul Perez, Isa, Portland, ME
Sherry Pocknett, Sly Fox Den Too, Charlestown, RI
Yisha Siu, Yunnan Kitchen, Boston, MA
Derrick Teh, SEKALI, Boston, MA
Ellie Tiglao, Tanám, Somerville, MA
Renee Touponce, The Port of Call, Mystic, CT
Milena Pagán, Little Sister, Providence, RI
Douglass Williams, MIDA, Boston, MA
