James Beard Semifinalists Include These 12 MA Restaurants

The James Beard Foundation has released its list of semifinalists, including some in Massachusetts, for its 30th annual culinary awards competition.

Semifinalists announced Wednesday by the James Beard Foundation include 12 restaurants/chefs/bars in Massachusetts. The awards, now in their 30th year, are regarded as the Oscar Awards of the culinary industry.

The semifinalists are in 11 categories: best new restaurant; outstanding restaurant; outstanding baker; outstanding pastry chef; outstanding chef; rising chef stars age 30 or younger; outstanding bar program; outstanding wine program; outstanding wine, beer or spirits producer; outstanding restaurateur; and outstanding hospitality.

In Massachusetts, the semifinalists are:

Best New Restaurant

• Fox & the Knife, Boston
• Tanám, Somerville

Outstanding Baker

• Maura Kilpatrick, Sofra Bakery, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Outstanding Bar Program

• The Baldwin Bar, Woburn, Massachusetts

Outstanding Hospitalist

• Mistral, Boston

Outstanding Chef

• Ana Sortun, Oleana, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Outstanding Pastry Chef

• Renae Connolly, Benedetto, Cambridge, Massachusetts

Outstanding Restaurant

• Neptune Oyster, Boston

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer, JK Food Group, Boston (Little Donkey, Toro, Coppa)

Outstanding Wine Program

• Grill 23, Boston
• haley.henry, Boston

Rising Star Chef of the Year

• Irene Li, Mei Mei, Boston

James Beard Foundation Semifinalists: The Full List

Finalists in all categories will be announced at a news conference at 9 a.m. EDT on March 25 in Philadelphia.

The list of semifinalists was voted on by more than 600 judges from across the country. The same group of judges — who include leading regional restaurant critics, food and wine editors, culinary instructors and past James Beard winners — vote to determine the finalists. The votes are tabulated by independent auditors from EisnerAmper.

The winners will be announced in May.