The nominations include national category nods for Outstanding Restaurateur, Outstanding Bakery, and five of the 20 nominations for Best Chef: Northeast.
James Beard
Maine shut out of James Beard Award final round for first time in 11 years
None of the state’s 9 semifinalists moved on in the annual competition, often called the Oscars of the food world. That hasn’t happened since 2014.
James Beard Awards names 10 Maine semifinalists for 2025 honors
Nominees include Taj in South Portland and The Abbey in Brunswick, while 3 southern Maine chefs are nominated in the Best Chef: Northeast category.
Maine bakeries rise above the competition to win James Beard Awards
Atsuko Fujimoto of Norimoto Bakery won for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker and Barak Olins’ ZUbakery took home the award for Outstanding Bakery.
Maine has 4 James Beard Award finalists
They are Zu Bakery, Atsuko Fujimoto of Norimoto Bakery, Woodford Food & Beverage and Jake Stevens of Leeward.