Hoboken Chef Earns Nod As 2019 James Beard Semifinalist

HOBOKEN, NJ — A Hoboken chef is representing the Mile Square City in the “Oscars of the culinary world.”

Maricel Presilla of Cucharamama in Hoboken was announced Wednesday as a regional semifinalist in the category of “Outstanding Chef” for the 2019 James Beard Awards, sometimes referred to as the Oscars of the culinary world.

According to the James Beard Foundation, the award is given to a chef who “sets high culinary standards and who has served as a positive example for other food professionals.” They must have been working as a chef for the past five years to be eligible.

The prestigious Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists represent a wide range of culinary talent, from exceptional chefs and dining destinations nationally and across 10 different regions. The 21 award categories include best new restaurants, outstanding bars, outstanding bakers and rising star chefs 30 years of age or younger.

The final winners will be announced during a press conference in Houston on Wednesday, March 27. It will be hosted by James Beard Award–winning chef Hugo Ortega at his namesake Mexican restaurant, Hugo’s.

The James Beard Foundation solicits entries for the awards in mid-October of each year. They are reviewed by the Restaurant and Chef Committee to determine eligibility and regional representation, and are then voted on by more than 600 judges from across the country to determine the final nominees.

The same group of judges, which is comprised of leading regional restaurant critics, food and wine editors, culinary educators, and past James Beard Award winners, then votes on the nominees to select the winners.

Tabulations to determine the nominees and winners are done by independent auditors Lutz & Carr. The governing Awards committee, board of trustees, and staff of the James Beard Foundation do not vote, and the results are kept confidential until the presentation of winners in May.

Click here for the complete list of semifinalists.

This article contains reporting from the Patch national desk.

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