In the Outstanding Chef category, Eder Montero and Alex Raij of La Vara in Cobble Hill and Erik Ramirez of Llama Inn in Williamsburg are semifinalists. Charlie Mitchell, executive chef at Clover Hill in Brooklyn Heights, cracked the list of nominees for Emerging Chef.
Greenpoint’s She Wolf is a nominee for Outstanding Bakery, with Nora Faye Allen of Mel the Bakery and Camari Mick of The Musket Room semifinalists in the Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker category.
Melba’s in Harlem made the list for Outstanding Hospitality. Crain’s named chef and owner Melba Wilson to its Hall of Fame class and Most Powerful Women in New York list in 2021.
Cote Korean Steakhouse, located just south of Madison Square Park, was New York City’s sole name among the Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program category.
No New York City names made this year’s semifinalists for Outstanding Restaurateur, although Foster Supply Hospitality, which operates three restaurants in Sullivan County, is on the list.
Looking for an outstanding bar? Dante in Greenwich Village and Harlem Hops are semifinalists in that category.
Finalists for the prestigious awards are scheduled to be announced March 29. Winners are to be honored at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony June 5 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
Beard Foundation executives said last year that they overhauled the awards to focus on chefs and restaurants that highlight their communities and are committed to diversity and equity. Officials said in Wednesday’s statement that they will continue that emphasis.
Veselka, which opened in 1954, has been a New York staple for decades but has increasingly become a destination for support of Ukraine since Russia invaded the country last year.