Ten Maine chefs and restaurants have been announced as semifinalists in the 2025 James Beard Awards.

The nominations this year include Havana in Bar Harbor for Outstanding Restaurant; Jason Eckerson and Kate Hamm from Fish & Whistle in Biddeford for Emerging Chef; Brant Dadaleares from Gross Confection Bar for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker; Taj Indian Cuisine in South Portland for Outstanding Hospitality.

The Abbey in Brunswick is nominated for for Best New Bar, Mary Allen Lindemann from Coffee By Design gets the nod for Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Nathaniel Meiklejohn from The Jewel Box is up for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service.

Lee Frank from Lee Frank’s in South Berwick and Wells, Jordan Rubin from Mr Tuna, and Jake Stevens from Leeward were each nominated for Best Chef: Northeast. The final list of nominees will be released on April 2nd, and the awards ceremony will occur on Monday, June 16th, in Chicago.