2 Providence Chefs Named as James Beard Semifinalists

Two Providence restaurateurs have been named as Semifinalists for the James Beard Foundation's 2017 Restaurant and Chef Awards, in the category of Best Chef: Northeast. The James Beard Awards are widely regarded as the top culinary achievement for chefs and restaurants in the US. 

Both Benjamin Sukle of Birch and Derek Wagner of Nick's on Broadway were among 20 nominees representing restaurants across the region. The winners will be announced on May 1, 2017, at a ceremony in Chicago, Illinois. 

See the full list of nominees below.

​Best Chef: Northeast

• Unmi Abkin, Coco & The Cellar Bar, Easthampton, MA
• Karen Akunowicz, Myers + Chang, Boston
• Tyler Anderson, Millwright’s, Simsbury, CT
• Mucuy Bolles and Christian Makay, Three Stones, Brattleboro, VT
• Alex Crabb, Asta, Boston
• Steve and Ellen Gedra, The Black Sheep, Buffalo, NY
• Brian Hill, Francine Bistro, Camden, ME
• Jeffrey Lizotte, Present Company, Simsbury, CT
• Matt Louis, Moxy, Portsmouth, NH
• Evan Mallett, Black Trumpet, Portsmouth, NH
• Tony Messina, Uni, Boston
• Ravin Nakjaroen, Long Grain, Camden, ME
• Cassie Piuma, Sarma, Somerville, MA
• Susan Regis, Shepard, Cambridge, MA
• Marc Sheehan, Loyal Nine, Cambridge, MA
• Keiko Suzuki Steinberger, Suzuki’s Sushi Bar, Rockland, ME
• Benjamin Sukle, Birch, Providence, RI
• Andrew Taylor and Mike Wiley, Eventide Oyster Co., Portland, ME
• Derek Wagner, Nick’s on Broadway, Providence, RI
• Jordan Ware, Hen of the Wood, Burlington, VT

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