James Beard Foundation awards nearly doubled year over year for Hudson Valley chefs and restaurants. This year's semifinalists include The DeBruce, Mel the Baker, Clare de Boer of Stissing House, Doris Choi of Good Night, Efrén Hernández of Casa Susanna, Shaina Loew-Banayan of Cafe Mutton, and Chris Mauricio of Harana Market.
Mid-pandemic acclaimed baker Nora Allen launched Mel the Bakery on the Lower East Side. When the building went up for sale, Mel moved upstate to the former Breadfolks space in Hudson.
