9 Hudson Valley Restaurants, Chefs Named James Beard Semifinalists

HUDSON VALLEY, NY — Restaurants and chefs in the Hudson Valley are well represented in the semifinalists announced Wednesday for the prestigious 2023 James Beard Awards, sometimes referred to as the Oscars of the culinary arts industry.

Named for the late chef, cookbook author and food presenter James Beard, the awards “recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries, as well as a demonstrated commitment to racial and gender equity, community, sustainability, and a culture where all can thrive,” the James Beard Foundation said Wednesday in a news release.

The semifinalists are recognized across 23 categories, including a new award for outstanding bakery.

Here are 2023 James Beard Award nominees from the Hudson Valley:

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Sims and Kirsten Harlow Foster, Foster Supply Hospitality (The Arnold House Tavern and The DeBruce in Livingston Manor and Piccolo Paese Ristorante Italiano in Liberty)

Best New Restaurant

• Stissing House, Pine Plains

Outstanding Hospitality

• Lil’ Deb’s Oasis, Hudson

Best Chef: New York State

• Anthony Gonçalves, Kanopi, White Plains
• Shaina Loew-Banayan, Cafe Mutton, Hudson
• Paolo Garcia Mendoza, Karenderya, Nyack

Award nominees will be announced March 29, and the winners will be celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards Ceremony on June 5 at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.