10 Maine Semifinalists for James Beard Awards

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Image from James Beard Foundation

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

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