James Beard Awards 2018: List Of Cambridge Semifinalists

CAMBRIDGE, MA – It's Oscar season again in the food world. The James Beard Foundation released its list of semifinalists Wednesday for national and regional chef and restaurant awards and, perhaps unsurprisingly, several Cambridge restaurants and chefs are up for awards this year.

The list of semifinalists announced Wednesday will be sent to a panel of more than 600 judges — made up mainly of restaurant critics, food and wine editors, culinary educators and past James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Award winners — to whittle each category down to five nominees. The finalists are announced on March 15 and the winners will be announced May 1 in Chicago, according to the James Beard Foundation.

This year Cambridge racked up three semifinalists in national restaurant categories outstanding baker, outstanding pastry chef and best new restaurant. One Cambridge chef is also up for the regional "Best in the Northeast" award.

Here's the full list of Cambridge chefs and restaurants named James Beard Foundation Award semifinalists:

Best New Restaurant: Les Sablons

Outstanding Baker: Maura Kilpatrick, Sofra Bakery and Café

Outstanding Pastry Chef: Renae Connolly, Benedetto

Best Chef - Northeast: Seizi Imura, Cafe Sushi

Image via Shutterstock