The James Beard Foundation has begun the process of awarding the best restaurants, bars, chefs, and others in the food industry, and the Greater Boston area is well represented. Among the list of semifinalists for 2025 are the following:
-- Outstanding Chef: Cassie Piuma of Sarma in Somerville
-- Best New Restaurant: Somaek, Boston (Downtown Crossing)
-- Best New Bar: Equal Measure in Boston's Fenway; Merai in Brookline
-- Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service: Alyssa Mikiko DiPasquale of Koji Club in Brighton
-- Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service: Oscar Simoza of Wig Shop in Boston's Downtown Crossing
-- Best Chef: Northeast: John DaSilva of Chickadee in Boston's Seaport District; Conor Dennehy of Tallula in Cambridge; Valentine Howell of Black Cat in Jamaica Plain; Kwasi Kwaa of Comfort Kitchen in Dorchester; Erin Miller of Urban Hearth in Cambridge; Rachel Miller of Nightshade Noodle Bar in Lynn; Michael Serpa of Select Oyster Bar and Little Whale Oyster Bar in Boston's Back Bay.
[A related post from our sister site (Boston's Hidden Restaurants): List of Restaurant Closings and Openings in the Boston Area]
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