Finalists for the James Beard Award, a distinguished prize for excellence in culinary industry, were announced Tuesday, and they include New Englanders.
Book Awards: American Cooking
The New England Kitchen: Fresh Takes on Seasonal Recipes by Erin Byers Murray and Jeremy Sewall
Best New Restaurant
Central Provisions, Portland, ME
Outstanding Baker
Joanne Chang, Flour Bakery + Cafe, Boston
Outstanding Pastry Chef
Maura Kilpatrick, Oleana, Cambridge, MA
Rising Star Chef of the Year
Cara Stadler, Tao Yuan, Brunswick, ME
Best Chef: Northeast
Karen Akunowicz, Myers + Chang, Boston
Barry Maiden, Hungry Mother, Cambridge, MA
Masa Miyake, Miyake, Portland, ME
Cassie Piuma, Sarma, Somerville, MA
Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley, Eventide Oyster Co., Portland, ME
Local
Meanwhile, Westport, Connecticut's Michel Nischan - CEO, president and co-founder of Wholesome Wave - is being awarded the 2015 James Beard Foundation Humanitarian of the Year.
The winners will be announced May 4 in Chicago.
