2022 James Beard Foundation Nominees In Massachusetts

MASSACHUSETTS — For the first time in over two years, the James Beard Foundation is sharing its list of semifinalists for the 2022 version of its prestigious restaurant and chef awards.

With two years off, the foundation says they were able to conduct internal and external reviews of its policies and procedures, working to make the awards process more transparent and inclusive going forward.

Some of the changes implemented this year include lessening the entry fee rate from $150 to $75, and the Foundation has established a Code of Ethics as a guideline for all entrants, semifinalists, and nominees, as well as its voting body.

"We know that seismic changes continue to take place within the food and media industries. The James Beard Foundation's programs exist to serve and bolster people at different points in their careers. The Awards are one of these programs," said Dawn Padmore, VP of Awards. "These initial changes give us an opportunity to honor, recognize, and celebrate the rich diversity of the industry."

For more than 30 years, the annual James Beard Awards have provided national acclaim and recognition of restaurants, food and beverage professionals, authors, journalists, broadcast media, and others in the restaurant industry.

The semifinalist announcement is the first step of many before the winners are named. With an open call for recommendations in late 2021, the list is formed from a vote after reviews from a subcommittee.

The voting body then reviews and votes on entries to break the list down to nominees, who will be named on March 16, 2022. Winners will finally be revealed at a ceremony in Chicago on June 13, 2022.

2022 brings back familiar names of semifinalists from years prior but also has some fresh names included on the semifinalist list. For a full list of the 2020 nominees before the awards ceremony was canceled due to the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, click here.

Here's a list of the semifinalists from Massachusetts for the 2022 James Beard Foundation restaurant and chef awards:

Chefs

• John DaSilva (Chickadee, Boston) — best chef: Northeast semifinalist
• Daniel Gursha (Ledger, Salem) — best chef: Northeast semifinalist
• Patricia Estorino (Gustazo Cuban Kitchen & Bar, Waltham and Cambridge) — best chef: Northeast semifinalist
• Tiffani Faison (Orfano, Boston) — best chef: Northeast semifinalist (Faison was also a 2020 semifinalist in this category.)
• Tico Huynh (Yvonne's, Boston) — best chef: Northeast semifinalist
• Jeremy Kean and Philip Kruta (Brassica Kitchen + Cafe, Boston) — best chef: Northeast semifinalists
• Cassie Piuma (Sarma, Somerville) — best chef: Northeast semifinalist (Piuma was also a 2020 semifinalist in this category.)
• David Schrier, Jessica Pollard, and David Clegg (Daily Operation, Easthampton) — best chef: Northeast semifinalists
• Deborah Snow and Barbara White (Blue Heron Restaurant & Catering, Sunderland) — outstanding restaurateur semifinalists
• Douglass Williams (Mida, Boston) — outstanding chef semifinalist (Williams was a 2020 semifinalist for best chef: Northeast)

As far as restaurants, only one in Massachusetts was listed as a semifinalist, Rebel Rebel out of Somerville, for its outstanding wine program.