NEW: Two RI Chefs Named James Beard Semifinalists
Thursday, February 18, 2016
Two Rhode Island chefs have been named semifinalists for the 2016 James Beard Foundation restaurant and chef awards.
Derek Wagner at Nick's on Broadway in Providence and Champe Speidel with Persimmon in Bristol were among 21 nominated for "Best Chef Northeast" (see nominees below).
The final nominees will be announced in San Francisco on March 15. It should be noted Persimmon is scheduled to open on the East Side of Providence later this year
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTAs GoLocal wrote about the restaurant in 2010, "GoLocalProv's culinarian had dinner at the East Bay's hottest restaurant. Here are the five things he wants you to know.
Attention to detail: Every decision made by chef-owner Champe Speidel is clearly deliberate. From the manicured dining room, daily menu and attentive staff, to the use of Carnaroli rice (instead of Arborio) for its firm texture in the risotto, these details tell me that Persimmon wants me to have an idyllic experience, leaving nothing to chance."
For the full list of nominees, go here.
Northeast Nominees
BEST CHEF: NORTHEAST
Unmi Abkin, Coco & The Cellar Bar, Easthampton, MA
Karen Akunowicz, Myers + Chang, Boston
Tyler Anderson, Millwright’s Restaurant, Simsbury, CT
Erin French, The Lost Kitchen, Freedom, ME
Eric Gabrynowicz, Restaurant North, Armonk, NY
Wesley Genovart, SoLo Farm & Table, South Londonderry, VT
Brian Hill, Francine, Camden, ME
Aaron Josinsky, Misery Loves Co., Winooski, VT
Matt Louis, Moxy Restaurant, Portsmouth, NH
Dan Magill, Arethusa al tavolo, Bantam, CT
Zak Pelaccio, Fish & Game, Hudson, NY
Cassie Piuma, Sarma, Somerville, MA
Susan Regis, Shepard, Cambridge, MA
Guy Reuge, Mirabelle, Stony Brook, NY
Michael Scelfo, Alden & Harlow, Cambridge, MA
Champe Speidel, Persimmon, Bristol, RI
Keiko Suzuki Steinberger, Suzuki’s Sushi Bar, Rockland, ME
Philip Tang, Banyan Bar + Refuge, Boston
Derek Wagner, Nick’s on Broadway, Providence
Mike Wiley and Andrew Taylor, Eventide Oyster Co., Portland, ME
Related Slideshow: 10 Dishes That Show Providence’s Love of Bacon
Related Articles
- RI Chefs Jennings, Speidel, Bolin in Running for James Beard Awards
- Farmstead’s American Artisan Dinner at The James Beard House
- NEW: Two Rhode Island Chefs Named James Beard Award Semi-Finalists
- NEW: Three Rhode Island Chefs Semifinalists for James Beard Award
- Bristol Chef Named James Beard Award Semifinalist
- Leather Storrs: James Beard Awards and the Changing Culinary Industry
- Five Things: Persimmon, Bristol
- Persimmon Provisions - Coming Soon
