Five New Jersey restaurants were named semifinalists for 2022 James Beard Awards on Wednesday, including one national honor.
Steve and Cookie’s, a revered seafood restaurant in Margate that previously has been listed as one of the best restaurants in the United States, was named a semifinalist for the organization’s Outstanding Hospitality award. The honor is bestowed upon a “restaurant that demonstrates consistent and excellent hospitality and service to its dining community, while also making efforts to provide a sustainable work culture.”
Four chefs from three New Jersey restaurants were also named semifinalists for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic, a region that includes Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and Washington, DC. Joey Baldino from Italian restaurant Zeppoli in Collingswood, Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer of Canal House Station in Milford and Wei Lu of China Chalet in Florham Park were all nominated.
Finalists will be named March 16. Winners will be announced at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony June 13 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
The nominations come a week after Camden soul food restaurant Corinne’s Place was named a James Beard America’s Classic — the first New Jersey restaurant to earn the honor in more than a decade. That award is given “to locally owned restaurants that have timeless appeal and are beloved regionally for quality food that reflects the character of its community,” according to the James Beard Foundation.
Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust.
Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com and followed on Twitter at @J_Schneider and on Instagram at @JeremyIsHungryAgain.
Find NJ.com on Facebook.