New Jersey Has 6 James Beard Semifinalists

Six New Jersey restaurants and some of their critically acclaimed chefs and bakers are vying for top honors in one of the nation's most respected food competitions.

The James Beard Foundation released its list of semifinalists Wednesday for best chef and restaurant awards – which have been called the Oscars of the culinary world – and six New Jersey establishments and chefs made the list (see list below).

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.

Here is the New Jersey list:

Outstanding Chef

• Maricel Presilla, Cucharamama, Hoboken (Read more: Hoboken Chef Earns Nod As 2019 James Beard Semifinalist)

Outstanding Restaurant

• Sagami, Collingswood (Read more: Collingswood Has 2 James Beard Semifinalists)

Outstanding Service

• Chef Vola’s, Atlantic City

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic

• Joey Baldino, Zeppoli, Collingswood (Read more: Collingswood Has 2 James Beard Semifinalists)
• Randy Forrester, Osteria Radici, Allentown
• Dan Richer, Razza Pizza Artigianale, Jersey City

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.