For foodies across the United States, there’s no list quite as exciting as the James Beard Award semifinalists. Since 1991 when the first awards were given, the James Beard Awards have been among the nation’s most prestigious honors that recognize leaders in the culinary industry. With so many breakout local chefs, restaurateurs, and establishments garnering attention in the region, we’ve been waiting for the semifinalist list with bated breath. Well, without further ado…
Best Chef
With three of the Hudson Valley’s foremost culinary minds representing the Hudson Valley region on the semifinalist list in the Best Chef: New York State category, we’re more than a little excited to plan return visits to their restaurants in the (very) near future.
Clare de Boer
Stissing House, Pine Plains
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Clare de Boer is a force to be reckoned with in the Hudson Valley. After taking the helm as chef and proprietor of Stissing House in Pine Plains, she’s helped the restaurant to become a true dining destination in the region’s culinary scene. On her menus, farm-to-table flavors with an emphasis on fresh, thoughtful pairings delight, and seasonality remains a focus throughout the year. Outside of Stissing House, de Boer also boasts a Substack, titled The Best Bit, that’s 30,000-plus subscribers strong.
Efrén Hernández
Casa Susanna, Leeds
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For many visitors to Casa Susanna in Leeds, Chef Efrén Hernández’s take on Mexican cuisine is like nothing they’ve had before — in a very good way. That’s because Hernández lets his family’s history, as well as the Hudson Valley’s bounty, inspire his menus. He kicked off a masa program at the restaurant so his team can make all tortillas in-house, and he relies upon seasonal ingredients to keep offerings as fresh as can be. Hernández’s dedication to beautiful, traditional cuisine is evident across his menus, which tempt with offerings like red crab tostadas, wood-fire roasted beef tongue with coffee jus, and smoked goat birria tatemada.
Shaina Loew-Banayan
Café Mutton, Hudson
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When Café Mutton first opened in Hudson, it made waves for its emphasis on offal and underutilized cuts of meat. Chef and owner Shaina Loew-Banayan is the creative behind that menu, and they’ve continued to blaze a culinary path in the Hudson Valley that shows no sign of slowing down. Foodies flock to the Columbia County eatery for the downright heavenly crepes, then stay to try more unconventional offerings such as lamb head porridge, roasted bone marrow with vegemite, and beef tongue with shrimp shell vinaigrette. Banayan is also a published author, with their book, Elegy for an Appetite, telling the tale of the cook’s up-and-down relationship with their body and food.
So, with all that said: Who are you rooting for, Hudson Valley? If you’ve dined at any of these exceptional establishments, be sure to share your experience with us on social media. Stay tuned—the nominees will be announced on April 2, while the winners will be announced on June 16.
Related: Pasta d’Oro at The Jolly Onion Dishes up Sumptuous Italian Fare in Pine Island
