Several chefs and restaurants in Hawaii are first-time semifinalists for this year’s James Beard Awards. Oahu claims Hyun Kim of O’Kims Korean Kitchen for Best Chef/Northwest & Pacific; Dave Newman of Pint + Jigger for Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service; Hana Quon of Patisserie HQ for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker, and The Local General Store for Outstanding Bakery. Hawaii’s Keoni Regidor of Lehua Restaurant was nominated for Best Emerging Chef. Repeat semifinalists in Oahu for Best Chef/Northwest & Pacific are Ki Chung of Bar Maze; Ed Kenney of Mud Hen Water, and Andrew Le of The Pig & the Lady.
Photo Courtesy of James Beard Awards