Rhode Island Chef Named 2022 James Beard Semifinalist

WESTERLY, RI — One Rhode Island chef was named a semifinalist in the 2022 James Beard Awards. Watch Hill's William Rietzel is in the running for best chef in the Northeast.

The category includes 20 chefs in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont. Rietzel was the only chef from Rhode Island to make the cut.

Rietzel is the chef de cuisine at COAST, the restaurant at the famed Ocean House hotel. The restaurant was rated five stars by both AAA and Forbes and is the only one in the New England on CNN Traveler’s list of world’s best waterfront restaurants.

This year's James Beard winners will receive their awards at the awards ceremony June 13.

See the full list of nominees on the foundation's website.