Westchester Chef, Restaurant Nominated As James Beard Semifinalists

The semifinalists for the annual James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards have been announced, and Westchester County is represented.

The awards recognize the best of the best in the restaurant business across America, including Oustanding Baker, Pastry Chef, Restaurateur, and more.

In the Best Chef category, for chefs who have set new or consistent standards of excellence in their respective regions. Eligible candidates may be from any kind of dining establishment and must have been working as a chef for at least five years with the three most recent years spent in the region:

Best Chef: Northeast

• Eric Gabrynowicz, Restaurant North, Armonk, NY

Outstanding Service, for a restaurant in operation five or more years that demonstrates high standards of hospitality and service:

• Blue Hill at Stone Barns

The Beard Foundation is named in honor of James Beard, an educator and mentor of a generation of professional chefs and food enthusiasts. The foundation continues his work by creating programs and events that inspire and carry on a legacy of culinary excellence.

The finalists will be announced in a Tuesday, March 15 ceremony, and the 2016 James Beard Awards Gala will be held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on May 2.