Maine Celebrates Two James Beard Award Finalists

On Tuesday, two chefs from Maine became finalists in the 2026 James Beard Awards. This national recognition is important as it highlights the talent in the restaurant industry.

Dana Street, who runs Fore Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co., and Street and Co. in Portland, is a finalist for the Outstanding Restaurateur award. Thomas Takashi Cooke, from Izakaya Minato in Portland, is a finalist for Best Chef: Northeast.

Cooke expressed appreciation for all restaurant owners, stating they all deserve recognition. He believes teamwork is crucial, saying that everyone puts in hard work to create great dishes. He wants people to understand that much effort goes into the restaurant’s success.

Street, however, was not available for comment on his nomination. Last year was disappointing, as no Maine semifinalists reached the finalist stage for the first time in over a decade.

Night Moves Bread from South Portland was another semifinalist this year for Outstanding Bakery. Other regional semifinalists included Jeremy Broucek, Chris Gould, Sara Jenkins, and Jake Stevens, all competing for Best Chef: Northeast.

The winners will be announced at the James Beard Award ceremony on June 15 in Chicago. Cooke will miss this event because he is taking his son to see Japan play in the World Cup. Cooke sees this match as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and prioritises it over the awards ceremony.

How much do you know?

Who is a finalist for the Outstanding Restaurateur award?

Thomas Takashi Cooke

Dana Street

Jeremy Broucek

Sara Jenkins

When will the winners of the James Beard Awards be announced?

June 14

June 15

June 16

June 20

Which restaurant is Thomas Takashi Cooke associated with?

Fore Street

Izakaya Minato

Street and Co.

Standard Baking Co.

How long has it been since no Maine semifinalists reached the finalist stage?

Five years

One year

Over a decade

Two years

What is Cooke taking his son to see?

A concert

A football match

The World Cup

A movie

Night Moves Bread is a semifinalist for which category?

Best Chef

Outstanding Bakery

Outstanding Restaurateur

Best New Restaurant

James Beard Awards are only recognized in Maine.

True False

Cooke believes that teamwork is essential for restaurant success.

True False

Dana Street was available for comment regarding his nomination.

True False

All chefs deserve recognition according to Thomas Takashi Cooke.

True False

The James Beard Award ceremony will take place in New York.

True False

Cooke is prioritizing the awards ceremony over a World Cup match.

True False

Cooke stated that everyone puts in hard work to create great dishes at the restaurant, which is critical for success in the industry.

Last year was disappointing as no Maine semifinalists reached the stage for the first time in over a decade.

Cooke will miss the James Beard Award ceremony because he is taking his son to see play in the World Cup.

Night Moves Bread from South Portland was a semifinalist for Outstanding this year.

The winners of the James Beard Awards will be announced in Chicago on 15.

Dana Street runs Street, Scales, Standard Baking Co., and Street and Co.

This question is required