Hoboken Restaurant, Local Chef Among Finalists In GSCA Awards

HOBOKEN, NJ — A Hoboken restaurant and a local chef are among the finalists for the 2018 Garden State Culinary Arts Awards (GSCAA).

According to the GSCAA, La Isla in Hoboken is a finalist for the "Best Neighborhood Food Establishment" category for the north region. The chef/owner is Omar Giner.

Here’s how the GSCAA describes the category:

“An informal, moderately priced, independently owned eatery in New Jersey with high-quality food that reflects the character of New Jersey and/or its surrounding community. Must have been in operation for at least five years."

In addition, Maricel Presilla of Cucharamama and Zafra in Hoboken is a finalist for "Garden State Culinary Legend."

Here’s how the GSCAA describes the category:

"A food professional, institution or restaurant with a rich, storied history of high standards, commitment, accomplishment and influence. The contributions of the person, place or institution to the culinary arts in New Jersey must have affected residents in positive ways for at least 10 years."

Following a second round of voting, the winners will be selected and announced at a gala ceremony on Sunday, April 29.

The GSCAA identifies itself as an independent, juried culinary awards program, and the only one of its kind in New Jersey to honor achievement and excellence in a variety of culinary arts enterprises in the Garden State.

“During the past year, the nine-member GSCA Awards Committee and a statewide body of some 150 judges mined New Jersey for candidates for consideration for the awards,” the organization stated. “After winnowing down the names in each category to 10 nominees, the committee and judges voted in a first round of independently tabulated balloting.”

See the full list of nominees here.

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