The semifinalists in the Olympics of food cred were announced Wednesday. Both Maine newcomers and oldcomers made the storied James Beard Foundation awards list. Nominees will be announced March 24. Here is the short list:
Central Provisions on Fore Street in Portland will vie for best new restaurant in the nation. Open one year ago to the month, CP, helmed by chef Chris Gould, a Bethel boy, is a house on fire. A waiting list in the lean season? Yeah, they’ve got that.
A crudo’s throw from this culinary castle is Portland Hunt and Alpine Club, a semifinalist for best bar program. Andrew Volk is getting numerous nods for his inventive and tasty strong drinks and deftness with a jigger. (Note: it’s Allen’s Coffee Brandy month at the Market Street saloon. Tandem Coffee Bitters and Maine’s finest make for a happy hour indeed).
Sidestepping the “outstanding chefs” list (no Pine Tree love there) and jumping over to the rising stars, Cara Stadler of Tao Yuan in Brunswick made the cut. Deja vu all over again? The 27- year-old, who is too legit to quit was listed in the same category last year. Cara we love you dearly, but what up Beard? We wonder if the House of James has been to Waldo County ever. Inland at all? North of Belfast?
Plus Stadler, whose Bao Bao Dumpling house in Portland is the new news this year has risen!!
The Lost Kitchen chef Erin French, who resurfaced Phoenix like in a stunning spot in Freedom this summer was straight out snubbed in this category. Look for a profile on this whip smart cook in the March Food and Wine magazine. But I digress. Allagash’s Rob Tod is on the list (repeat alert) for outstanding beer program and is this the year the talented Mr. Miyake (last years semi) becomes best chef Northeast? He will duke it out with Ravin Nakjaroen of Long Grain, in Camden. Yeah Midcoast! Ravin was also a 2014 consideration.
Not to go all Kanye West on this list, but new chefs (and old) are tantalizing our palates in Maine every day. It would be great to see more unsung heroes get a crack at fame. Though the New York outfit did give Melissa Kelly a break this year, this list is far from primo.
Who did Beard brush off that you would like to see? Congrats to those who made it.
