9 North Jersey chefs, food and drink businesses named finalists for 2018 statewide awards
Esther Davidowitz
Chef Robbie Felice of Viaggio in Wayne, Corrado's Family Affair in Clifton, Al Basha in Paterson and Ariane Duarte of Ariane Kitchen + Bar in Verona are among the North Jersey finalists for the 2018 Garden State Culinary Awards (GSCAA).
This is the second year for the Garden State Culinary Arts awards that honor New Jersey's restaurants, chefs, farmers, food artisans and markets and professionals in the beer, wine and spirits industries. The winners will be announced in a ceremony and reception on April 29 at Bell Works in Holmdel. To purchase tickets, visit brownpapertickets.com/event/3395757 ($75 per person until April 20; $100 afterwards).
This juried awards program is the only one of its kind in New Jersey. During the past year, the nine-member GSCA Awards Committee and a statewide body of some 150 judges (including this writer) mined New Jersey for candidates for consideration for the awards. After winnowing down the names in each category to 10 nominees, the committee and judges voted in a first round of independently tabulated balloting.
The top three vote-getters in each category have been deemed finalists; they are listed below. North Jersey nominees are in bold.
Best Food Market:
The Cheese Cave, Red Bank: Stephen Catania, owner
Corrado's Family Affair, Clifton: Corrado family, owners
Stockton Market, Stockton: Steven Grabowski and Cheryl Olsten, owners
Best Neighborhood Food Establishment:
North
Al-Basha, Paterson: Yasar Basha, owner
La Isla, Hoboken: Omar Giner, chef-owner
Seabra's Marisqueira, Newark: Joaquim Fernandes, chef-owner; Antonio Sousa and Manuel Cerqueira, owners
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Central
The Buttered Biscuit Cafe, Bradley Beach: Liz and Dave McAllister, owners
El Tule, Lambertville: Egoavil and Anguiano families, owners
Mustache Bill's Diner, Barnegat Light: Bill Smith, chef-owner
South
Angelo's Fairmount Tavern, Atlantic City: Mancuso family, owners
Little Saigon, Atlantic City: Ha and Thomas Vu, owners
Louisa's Cafe, Cape May: Will Riccio, owner
Best New Restaurant
Cargot Brasserie, Princeton: Jim Nawn, Fenwick Hospitality Group, owner
Hearthside, Collingswood: Lindsay Piperno, owner; Dominic Piperno, chef-owner
Marcel Bakery & Kitchen, Upper Montclair: Meny Vaknin, chef-owner
Best Restaurant:
Elements, Princeton: Scott Anderson, chef-partner; Stephen Distler, partner
The Red Store, Cape May Point: Lucas Manteca, chef-owner
Zeppoli, Collingswood: Joey Baldino, chef-owner
Garden State Culinary Legend:
Ariane Daguin, D'Artagnan; Union
Chris Mumford, Cafe Mumford's; Tinton Falls
Maricel Presilla, Cucharamama and Zafra; Hoboken
Outstanding Beer Professional:
Carton Brewing Co.; Atlantic Highlands
Michael Kane, Kane Brewing Co.; Ocean Township
Ryan Krill, Chris “Hank” Henke and Bob Krill, Cape May Brewing Co.; Cape May
Outstanding Chef
Ariane Duarte, Ariane Kitchen + Bar; Verona
Shigeru Fukuyoshi, Sagami; Collingswood
Dan Richer, Razza Pizza Artigianale; Jersey City
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Outstanding Farmer:
Cherry Grove Organic Farm, Lawrence Township: Matthew Conver
Chickadee Creek Farm, Pennington: Jess Niederer
Forty North Oyster Farm, Little Egg Harbor and Belmar: Matt Gregg and Scott Lennox
Outstanding Food Artisan:
Milk Sugar Love, Jersey City: Emma Taylor, owner
Valley Shepherd Creamery, Long Valley: Eran Wajswol and Debra Van Sickle, owners
Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker:
Jennifer Colello Carson, Lillipies; Princeton
Elizabeth Degener, The Bread Lady at Enfin Farms; Cape May
Jess Gaspero, The Farm & Fisherman Tavern; Cherry Hill
Outstanding Spirits Professional:
Danny Childs, The Farm & Fisherman Tavern; Cherry Hill
Mark Pascal and Francis Schott, Stage Left Steak; New Brunswick
James Yoakum, Cooper Rivers Distillers; Camden
Outstanding Wine Professional:
Michael Beneduce Jr., Beneduce Vineyards; Pittstown
Sean Comninos, Bill and Penni Heritage, Heritage Vineyards; Mullica Hill
Chris Cree, Pluckemin Inn; Bedminster
Rising Star Chef:
Robbie Felice, Viaggio; Wayne
Valentina Fortuna, Constellation Collective; Collingswood
Martyna Krowicka, Restaurant Latour; Hamburg
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