3 MA Restaurants And Chefs Are James Beard Awards Nominees

MASSACHUSETTS — The culinary scene in Massachusetts is well-represented in the 2025 Restaurant and Chef Awards nominees announced Wednesday by the James Beard Foundation.

2025 is an important milestone for the James Beard Foundation: It’s the 35th anniversary of the awards, considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors. Awards will be presented in 25 categories this year with an expanded focus on cocktail and beverage service.

In Massachusetts, the following restaurants and chefs were named finalists this year:

Outstanding Chef, presented by Hilton: Cassie Piuma, Sarma, 249 Pearl St., Somerville
Best New Bar: Merai, 14 Harvard St., Brookline
Best Chef in the Northeast: Erin Miller, Urban Hearth, 2263 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge

The James Beard Awards, first presented in 1991, recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries and are often regarded as the “Oscars of culinary arts.” They recognize a range of experiences, from fine-dining restaurants to casual gems, in 22 categories.

Winners will be announced Monday, June 16, in a ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

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