Semifinalists for the 2018 James Beard Awards have been announced and numerous Massachusetts restaurants made the cut.
The annual awards are presented for excellence in cuisine, culinary writing and culinary education in the United States.
The 2018 Bay State nominees include:
Best New Restaurant
Les Sablons, Cambridge
Outstanding Baker
Maura Kilpatrick, Sofra Bakery and Café, Cambridge
U.S. & World
Outstanding Bar Program
The Baldwin Bar, Woburn
Outstanding Chef
Joanne Chang, Flour Bakery + Cafe, Boston
Outstanding Pastry Chef
Renae Connolly, Benedetto, Cambridge
Outstanding Restaurant
O Ya, Boston
Outstanding Restaurateur
Garrett Harker, Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Row 34, Ken Oringer, Uni, Little Donkey, Toro, and others, Boston
Outstanding Service
Eastern Standard Kitchen & Drinks, Boston
Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional
JC Tetreault and Esther Tetreault, Trillium Brewing Company, Boston
Outstanding Wine Program
Grill 23 & Bar, Boston
Taberna de Haro, Brookline
Rising Star Chef of the Year
Irene Li, Mei Mei, Boston
Juan Pedrosa, Yvonne’s, Boston
Best Chef — Northeast
Unmi Abkin, Coco & The Cellar Bar, Easthampton
Karen Akunowicz, Myers + Chang, Boston
Tiffani Faison, Tiger Mama, Boston
Seizi Imura, Cafe Sushi, Cambridge
Tony Messina, Uni, Boston
Cassie Piuma, Sarma, Somerville
The full list of semifinalists in New England and nationwide can be found on the foundation's website.
The James Beard Foundation will announce the final nominees for all Award categories on March 14. The Awards Gala will be held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on May 7.