Portland Duo Reach James Beard Finals as Five Maine Bids Fall Short
Dana Street and Thomas Takashi Cooke are finalists for the food world's Oscars; winners are named June 15 in Chicago.
Two figures from Portland's restaurant scene are finalists for the 2026 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards, the Bangor Daily News reported.
Dana Street, who founded Fore Street, Scales and Standard Baking Co., made the five-name Outstanding Restaurateur finalist list. Thomas Takashi Cooke, chef at the Japanese restaurant Izakaya Minato, was named a Best Chef, Northeast finalist, also one of five picked.
Other Maine nominees were cut at this stage. Best Chef semifinalists who did not advance included Sara Jenkins of Nina June in Rockport and three Portland chefs: Jeremy Broucek of Bread & Friends, Chris Gould of Central Provisions and Jake Stevens of Leeward. Night Moves Bread in South Portland, a nominee for Outstanding Bakery, also missed the top five.
The James Beard Foundation said the 2026 finalists show exceptional talent and leadership in the independent restaurant business. The awards are often compared to the Oscars for the food world.
Winners will be announced June 15 during a ceremony at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
This story was first reported by Bangor Daily News.
