Nominating is now open for the Garden State Culinary Arts Awards, presented by Buy-Rite Corporation. This is the first statewide food awards program, inspired by the principles and standards set by the national James Beard Foundation Awards program. The awards will recognize achievement, skill, talent and professionalism by honoring the finest New Jersey chefs, restaurants, farmers and artisans, purveyors and professionals in wine, beer and spirits enterprises.
Nominations are being accepted for 13 categories, through December 18.
You may make nominations for some or all of the categories.
How to Place a Nomination
- Using the links below, leave your comment under the post for the designated category. (You can also go to Facebook to do this.)
- Provide the name of your nomination and a short description of why that person or place deserves the award.
Categories and Criteria
To be eligible for an award, a restaurant must be open to the public at large; a chef must cook at a venue open to the public at large; and artisans, beverage professionals and farmers must have products available to the public at large.
Outstanding Chef
Rising Star Chef
Outstanding Pastry Chef/Baker
Best Restaurant
Best New Restaurant
Best Casual Restaurant
Outstanding Beer Professional
Outstanding Wine Professional
Outstanding Spirits Professional
Outstanding Food Artisan
Outstanding Farmer
Outstanding Food Market
Garden State Food Legend
About The Garden State Culinary Arts Awards
The awards will be presented annually by the Buy-Rite Corporation under the auspices of its nonprofit family foundation during a ceremony preceding its fund-raising gala every spring. The statewide awards program is overseen by an independent volunteer Awards Committee of media professionals who agree to abide by stated ethics policies and adhere to awards procedures. The awards voting body consists of the committee, a panel of judges and awards winners. No current full-time current employee of the Buy-Rite Corporation will be eligible for an award nor be permitted to vote for the awards. Ballots will be tabulated by an independent accounting firm.
