PORTLAND, Maine — Ten Maine chefs and restaurants were announced Wednesday as semifinalists for the 2024 Restaurant and Chef Awards in the James Beard Awards.
The James Beard Awards are organized by the James Beard Foundation, described as "among the nation’s most prestigious culinary honors," the foundation said in a news release.
"The James Beard Awards honor those who are creating exceptional food, food media content, and better food systems, while demonstrating a commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive," the release stated.
Among the semifinalists are 10 Maine chefs and restaurants from places like Portland to Alna to Milo.
First on the list are mother-daughter duo Cara Stadler and Cecile Stadler, owners of BaoBao Dumpling House in Portland and Tao Yuan Restaurant and ZaoZe Cafe & Market, which are both based in Brunswick.
The two are semifinalists in the Outstanding Restaurateur category.
"A restaurateur who uses their establishment(s) as a vehicle for building community, demonstrates creativity in entrepreneurship and integrity in restaurant operations, and is making efforts to create a sustainable work culture while contributing positively to their broader community," the release explained.
Joe Robbins, the owner of Bissell Brothers Three Rivers Kitchen in Milo, is a semifinalist in the Emerging Chef presented by S.Pellegrino Sparkling Mineral Water category.
Semifinalists in this category are described by the foundation as a "chef who displays exceptional talent, character, and leadership ability, and who is likely to make a significant impact in years to come while contributing positively to their broader community."
In the Best New Restaurant category, The Alna Store in Alna was named a semifinalist.
According to the James Beard Foundation, semifinalists in this category are "restaurant[s] [that] opened between Oct. 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023, that already demonstrates excellence in cuisine, seems likely to make a significant impact in years to come, and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community."
ZU Bakery in Portland was named a semifinalist in the Outstanding Bakery category, with criteria described as a "baker of breads, pastries, or desserts that demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations while contributing positively to its broader community," the release said.
Atsuko Fujimoto of Norimoto Bakery in Portland is a semifinalist in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category.
"A pastry chef or baker who makes desserts, pastries, or breads. [The] candidate demonstrates exceptional skills and can be affiliated with any food business and does not need a brick-and-mortar presence. Candidate contributes positively to their broader community," the release explained.
Woodford Food & Beverage in Portland is a semifinalist in the Outstanding Hospitality presented by American Airlines category, with criteria described as a "restaurant, bar, or other food and drinking establishment that fosters a sense of hospitality among its customers and staff that serves as a beacon for the community and demonstrates consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations, while contributing positively to its broader community," the foundation said.
Four Maine chefs were named semifinalists in the Best Chef: Northeast category, which includes Maine, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Vermont:
• Celia Bruns of Artemisia Cafe in Portland
• Ian Driscoll of Bar Futo in Portland
• Valerie Goldman of The Honey Paw in Portland
• Jake Stevens of Leeward in Portland
Semifinalists in this category are described as "chefs who set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions, while contributing positively to their broader community," according to the release.
"We are thrilled for the return of the James Beard Awards—recognizing the outstandingly talented leaders making their mark on American food,” Clare Reichenbach, CEO of the James Beard Foundation, said in Wednesday's release. “As we’ve heard time and again from honorees, receiving this recognition has the potential to be truly transformative—and so, the Awards remain a vital platform for supporting and elevating the independent restaurant industry as a whole. Congratulations to our 2024 semifinalists and best of luck this Awards cycle!"
According to the release, the Restaurant and Chef Awards were established in 1990 and first awarded in 1991.
"Nominees will be announced on Wednesday, April 3 and winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 10 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago," the release said.
For more information about the James Beard Foundation, click here.