On January 25, The James Beard foundation announced its long list of 2023 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists. The nomination in itself is an honor chefs, mixologists and hospitality professionals can add to their accolades, before the list is further curated to finalists (called nominees) and winners are announced on March 29.
On this year’s long list in the Best Chef: Northeast category is Chef Sara Jenkins, owner of Nina June restaurant in Rockport, Maine. Jenkins has been named to the James Beard long list twice before, both times while working in New York. This is the first time Jenkins has been named since moving to Maine and opening Nina June in 2016.
The James Beard Awards, considered to be among the nation’s most prestigious honors, recognize exceptional talent in the culinary and food media industries.
Jenkins says, “This recognition honors the team effort that makes Nina June possible. We are pleased to receive this great accolade for our work.”
Nina June is open for dinner Wednesday-Saturday, 5:30 to 9:30 pm. Also open on Valentine’s Day, this coming Tuesday, February 14, with a special prix fixe menu. Book online at www.exploretock.com/ninajune/
Photo credit: Peter Ralston
