Ten Maine semifinalists are in the running for the James Beard Foundation’s Restaurant and Chef Awards.
Half of the semifinalists are from Portland, including two for best chef in the Northeast – Jake Stevens, Leeward, Portland, and Jordan Rubin, Mr. Tuna.
The James Beard Awards carry prestige in the culinary arts and hospitality industries.
All categories have 20 semifinalists. The finalists will be announced on April 2, when the categories will be cut down to five contenders each, except for 10 in the Best New Restaurant category. The awards ceremony is set for June 16 in Chicago
The 10 Maine nominees:
Outstanding Restaurant: Havana, Bar Harbor
Emerging Chef: Jason Eckerson and Kate Hamm, Fish & Whistle, Biddeford
Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker: Brant Dadaleares, Gross Confection Bar, Portland
Outstanding Hospitality: Taj Indian Cuisine, South Portland
Best New Bar: The Abbey, Brunswick
Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Mary Allen Lindemann, Coffee By Design, Portland
Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: Nathaniel Meiklejohn, The Jewel Box, Portland
Best Chef: Northeast :Lee Frank, Lee Frank’s, South Berwick
Jake Stevens, Leeward, Portland
Jordan Rubin, Mr. Tuna, Portland
