Here Are James Beard Award Nominees In Massachusetts

The new coronavirus abruptly changed the food scene in Massachusetts, but the finalists in the James Beard Foundation’s annual culinary competition offer a peek at what you're missing — at least for now.

The awards, now in their 30th year, are regarded as the Oscar Awards of the culinary industry.

The list of the 2020 James Beard Nominees was delayed as the presenting organization instead focused supporting an industry upended by the coronavirus crisis. But after consulting with restaurateurs, the organization decided to go ahead with the awards, though there won’t be a gala celebration to announce them.

Winners are typically named in May, but that announcement has been postponed until September.

The James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund to date has given $4 million to independent, locally owned restaurants around the country, the organization said on its website.

In Massachusetts, nominees for work done in 2019 are:

Outstanding Restaurateur – Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer, Little Donkey, Toro, Coppa (Boston)

Rising Star Chef of the Year – Irene Li, Mei Mei (506 Park Dr, Boston)

Best Chef, Northeast – Tiffani Faison, Orfano (1391 Boylston St, Boston)

Cassie Piuma, Sarma (249 Pearl St, Somerville)

Columns – What She's Having: "Popeyes’ Fried Chicken Sandwich: A Delicious Distraction, a Cultural Lesson"; "Every Season Is Soup Season"; "Why a Somali Nook in East Boston Is One of the Country’s Best New Restaurants"; Devra First, Boston Globe

Restaurant Design, 76 Seats and Over – Hacin + Associates; Project: Shore Leave (11 William E Mullins Way, Boston)

Best New Restaurant – Fox & the Knife (28 W Broadway, Boston)

Outstanding Baker – Maura Kilpatrick, Sofra Bakery (1 Belmont St, Cambridge)

Outstanding Chef – Ana Sortun, Oleana (134 Hampshire St, Cambridge)

You can view the full list of nominees here.