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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.
