The candidates in and around North Jersey named for the first Garden State Culinary Arts Awards

Chef Kevin Kohler of Cafe Panache, Cafe Matisse in Rutherford and Joseph Cuccia of 17 Summer Street in Lodi are among the candidates in North Jersey named for the first Garden State Culinary Arts Awards.

The final winners will be announced on May 6. For the complete semifinalist list, go to http://facebook.com/gscaa2017

Who in and around our area made the list? Here are North Jersey's semifinalists:

Best Restaurant:

Cafe Matisse, Rutherford

Cucharamama, Hoboken

Saddle River Inn, Saddle River

Outstanding Chef:

Thomas Ciszak, Chakra Restaurant, Paramus; Blue Morel, Morristown

Ariane Duarte, Ariane Kitchen & Bar, Verona

Ryan DePersio, Fascino, Montclair; Battello, Jersey City; The Kitchen Step, Jersey City

Juan Andres Placencia, Costanera Cocina Peruana, Montclair

Dan Richer, Razza Pizza Artigianale, Jersey City

Best New Restaurant:

Kimchi Smoke in Westwood

The Kitchen Step, Jersey City

Viaggio Ristorante in Wayne

Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker:

Alyssa O’Dowd, Nicholas Markets Foodtown, North Haledon

Giancarlo Palazzone, Palazzone 1960, Wayne

Taskin family, Taskin Bakery, Paterson

Garden State Culinary Arts Awards to be announced at gala

Montclair chef picked for James Beard Foundation camp

Hoboken Food Crawl: Mutz, lobster, chicken wings and more

Outstanding Wine Professional:

Chuck Russo, owner, Carlo Russo Wine and Spirit World, Ho-Ho-Kus

Sharon Sevrens, proprietor, Amanti Vino, Montclair

Outstanding Beer Professional: 

Chris Schiavo and Joe Schiavo, co-owners, The Shepherd and the Knucklehead, Haledon

Eric Ruta, president/founder, Magnify Brewing, Fairfield

Outstanding Spirits Professional:

Brant Braue, owner and master distiller, Jersey Artisan Distilling, Fairfield

John Granata and Susan Lord, owners, Jersey Spirits Distilling Company, Fairfield

Joseph San Phillip, owner, and Anthony Ruiz, manager, The Stewed Cow, Hoboken

Rising Star Chef:

Joseph Cuccia, executive chef/co-owner, 17 Summer, Lodi

Elie Kahlon, executive chef/partner, Novo, Ridgewood

Nivardo Sanchez, chef, Hamilton Pork, Jersey City

Outstanding Food Artisan:

Milk Sugar Love, Jersey City; Emma Taylor

Outstanding Food Market:

Fattal’s Syrian Bakery, Paterson

Market Basket, Franklin Lakes

Garden State Culinary Legend:

Fiore’s, Hoboken

Rutt's Hut, Clifton

White Manna, Hackensack