Bedminster Sommelier Up For 'Outstanding Wine Professional' Award

BEDMINSTER, NJ — A sommelier in Bedminster has been named as a candidate for the "Outstanding Wine Professional" as part of the first Garden State Culinary Arts Awards.

Brian Hider, a sommelier at the Pluckemin Inn in Bedminster is among those up for the title of "Outstanding Wine Professional."

"A wine professional working in New Jersey who has proven skills and talent and has had a significant positive effect on the industry," according to 2017 Garden State Culinary Arts Awards.

The candidates were selected from public nominations. Candidates will now be voted on by about 100 independent judges from around the state — journalists, food writers, cookbook authors and other culinary experts.

The top three vote-getters in each category will be announced publicly in April. That will be put to another vote, and the final winners will be announced on Saturday, May 6, during a ceremony presented by Buy-Rite Liquors.

The ceremony will be open to the public.

Here is a list of all the candidates by category:

BEST RESTAURANT

A restaurant in operation in New Jersey for at least five years that displays overall excellence and consistency of quality in food, atmosphere and service, and has set high standards in the industry.

• Cafe Matisse, Rutherford
• Cafe 2825, Atlantic City
• Cucharamama, Hoboken
• The Frog and the Peach, New Brunswick
• Hamilton's Grill Room, Lambertville
• Indeblue, Collingswood
• Peter Shields Inn, Cape May
• Saddle River Inn, Saddle River
• Serenade, Chatham
• A Toute Heure, Cranford

OUTSTANDING CHEF

A chef working in a professional capacity in New Jersey for at least five consecutive years whose accomplishments have served to inspire, educate and set standards in both the state and the industry.

• Scott Anderson, Elements and Mistral, Princeton
• Andrew “Drew” Araneo, Drew's Bayshore Bistro, Keyport
• Joseph Baldino, Zeppoli, Collingswood
• Thomas Ciszak, Chakra Restaurant, Paramus; Blue Morel, Morristown
• Ryan DePersio, Fascino, Montclair; Battello, Jersey City; The Kitchen Step, Jersey City
• Ariane Duarte, Ariane Kitchen & Bar, Verona
• Shigeru Fukuyoshi, Sagami Japanese Restaurant, Collingswood
• Lucas Manteca, The Red Store, Cape May Point
• Juan Andres Placencia, Costanera Cocina Peruana, Montclair
• Dan Richer, Razza Pizza Artigianale, Jersey City

BEST NEW RESTAURANT

A restaurant opened in the previous calendar year (2016) that displays excellence in food and service, already has established a distinctive voice and promises to set high standards for years to come.

• Barrio Costero, Asbury Park
• Common Lot, Millburn
• Cooper House, Pennsauken
• Graze, Little Silver
• James on Main, Hackettstown
• Kimchi Smoke, Westwood
• The Kitchen Step, Jersey City
• Sanook Thai, Haddonfield
• Shamone Bites + Wine, Cape May
• Viaggio Ristorante, Wayne

BEST CASUAL RESTAURANT

An informal, moderately priced, independently owned eatery with high-quality food that reflects the character of New Jersey and/or its surrounding community. Must have been in operation for at least five years.

• Baguette Delite, Edison
• Broad Street Diner, Keyport
• Carmen’s Deli, Bellmawr
• De Lorenzo’s Tomato Pies, Robbinsville
• El Único, Union City
• La Esperanza, Lindenwold
• Marhaba, Lambertville
• The Pop Shop, Collingswood
• Shut Up and Eat!, Toms River
• Tops Diner, East Newark

OUTSTANDING FARMER

A farmer whose primary income is derived from agricultural pursuits, has demonstrated significant talent and skill in the profession as well as set consistent standards of excellence. Must have been working as a farmer for at least five years.

• Matthew Bruckler lll, JAH’s Creation Organic Farm, Egg Harbor Township
• Bruce Cobb, ARC Greenhouses, Shiloh
• Morris Gbolo, World Crops Farm, Buena Vista Township
• Charlie Hallock, Hallock’s U-Pick Farm, New Egypt, Plumsted Township
• Cyrus, Louise and David Hyde, Well-Sweep Herb Farm, Port Murray, Mansfield Township
• Chong ll Kim, Evergreen Orchard Farm, Hamilton
• Janie Lamson and Fernando Villegas, Cross Country Nurseries and ChilePlants.com, Kingwood
• The McCormack family, McCormack Farms, Middletown
• Peter, John and Rebecca Melick, Melick’s Town Farm, Oldwick, Tewksbury Township
• The Viereck Family, Viereck Farms, Woolwich Township

OUTSTANDING PASTRY CHEF/BAKER

A pastry chef or baker working in a professional capacity in New Jersey for at least three years in a restaurant, cafe, bakery or other public outlet who has displayed overall excellence in pastries, desserts and/or bread-making.

• Biemiller family, McMillan's Bakery, Westmont
• Elizabeth Degener, Enfin Farms, Lower Township
• Fernandez family, Argentina Bakery, Union City
• Theresa Hrivnak, Indulgence Cupcakery, Haddonfield
• Debbie Mumford, Mumford's Culinary Center, Tinton Falls
• Alyssa O’Dowd, Nicholas Markets Foodtown, North Haledon
• Giancarlo Palazzone, Palazzone 1960, Wayne
• Deborah Pellegrino, Caesar's Entertainment, Atlantic City
• Taskin family, Taskin Bakery, Paterson
• Carol and Norman Todd, Market Roost, Flemington

OUTSTANDING WINE PROFESSIONAL

A wine professional working in New Jersey who has proven skills and talent and has had a significant positive effect on the industry.

• John Altmaier, winemaker, Alba Vineyards, Finesville
• Louis Caracciolo, president, Amalthea Cellars, Atco
• Nicholas Harary, owner, Restaurant Nicholas, Middletown
• Brian Hider, sommelier, Pluckemin Inn, Bedminster
• Greg and David Moore, owners, Moore Brothers Wine Co., Pennsauken
• Nick Pizzonia, vice president, Court Liquors, West End, Long Branch
• Chuck Russo, owner, Carlo Russo Wine and Spirit World, Ho-Ho-Kus
• Sharon Sevrens, proprietor, Amanti Vino, Montclair
• Larry Sharrott, owner, Sharrott Winery, Winslow
• Robby Younes, wine director, Restaurant Latour, Hardyston

OUTSTANDING BEER PROFESSIONAL

A beer professional working in New Jersey who has proven skills and talent and has had a significant positive effect on the industry.

• Augie Carton, co-founder, Carton Brewing Co., Atlantic Highlands
• Dave Hoffman, founder, Climax Brewing Co., Roselle Park
• John Holl, editor, All About Beer magazine
• Michael Kane, president/founder, Kane Brewing Co., Ocean Township
• Mike Kivowitz, founder, New Jersey Craft Beer website
• Gene Muller, founder, Flying Fish Brewing Co., Somerdale
• Jamie Queli, owner, Forgotten Boardwalk Brewing Co., Cherry Hill
• Chris Rakow, head brewer, River Horse Brewing Co., Ewing
• Eric Ruta, president/founder, Magnify Brewing, Fairfield
• Chris Schiavo and Joe Schiavo, co-owners, The Shepherd and the Knucklehead, Haledon

OUTSTANDING SPIRITS PROFESSIONAL

A spirits professional working in New Jersey who has proven skills and talent and has had a significant positive effect on the industry.

• Brant Braue, owner and master distiller, Jersey Artisan Distilling, Fairfield
• Bob and Zack Brinley, owners, Shipwreck Rum, Atlantic Highlands
• Jamie Dodge, chief beverage craftsman and partner, Barrio Costero, Asbury Park
• John Granata and Susan Lord, owners, Jersey Spirits Distilling Company, Fairfield
• Russell Lewis, owner, and Michael Johannesen, head bartender, Watermark, Asbury Park
• N. Bryan Mack, bartender, Verve, Somerville (Mack was placed on the ballot before his death in January. The committee decided to keep his name there to honor his work and memory.)
• Mark Pascal and Francis Schott, owners, Catherine Lombardi Restaurant, New Brunswick
• Joseph San Phillip, owner, and Anthony Ruiz, manager, The Stewed Cow, Hoboken
• James Yoakum, founder/chief distiller, and Ben Donia, distillery manager, Cooper River Distillers, Camden

RISING STAR CHEF

A chef age 30 or younger as of the previous calendar year whose accomplishments and talent already have served to inspire and impress and promise to set standards for years to come. Must have worked in a professional capacity as a chef for a minimum of three years, including two years in New Jersey.

• Christopher Atamian, chef/owner, Porcini, Highlands
• Ryan Anderson, executive chef, INC American Bar & Kitchen, New Brunswick
• A.J. Capella, chef de cuisine, The Ryland Inn, Whitehouse Station, Readington Township
• Joseph Cuccia, executive chef/co-owner, 17 Summer, Lodi
• Elie Kahlon, executive chef/partner, Novo, Ridgewood
• Martyna Krowicka, chef de cuisine, Restaurant Latour, Hardyston
• Charles Lesbirel, executive chef, Ama Ristorante, Sea Bright
• Jacqueline Platzer, assistant culinary director, PJW Restaurant Group, Haddonfield
• Nivardo Sanchez, chef, Hamilton Pork, Jersey City

OUTSTANDING FOOD MARKET

An established independently owned retail food market that demonstrates a high level of quality in goods offered, service to its customers and devotion to its community. Must have been in operation for at least five years.

• The Amish Farmers Market at Mullica Hill, Mullica Hill
• The Cheese Cave, Red Bank
• Chowpatty Sweets and Snacks, Iselin, Woodbridge Township
• Delicious Orchards, Colts Neck
• Fattal’s Syrian Bakery, Paterson
• Forked River German Butcher Shop, Lacey
• The Greek Store, Kenilworth
• Market Basket, Franklin Lakes
• Pulaski Meat Products, Linden
• Severino Pasta Co., Westmont

OUTSTANDING FOOD ARTISAN

A food artisan who has demonstrated significant talent and skill in their chosen genre and has set new or consistent standards of achievement and excellence. Must have been working in the genre for at least three years.

• Aunt Charlotte’s Candies, Merchantville; Oakford-Trost family
• The Bent Spoon, Princeton; Gabrielle Carbone and Matthew Errico
• Blair’s Sauces and Snacks, Highlands; Blair Lazar
• Bobolink Dairy and Bakehouse, Alexandria; Jonathan and Nina White
• Busy Bees NJ, Middle Township: Gary and Erin Schempp
• DiCosmo’s Water Ice, Elizabeth; DiCosmo family
• Lopes Sausage, Newark; Herminio Lopes
• Milk Sugar Love, Jersey City; Emma Taylor
• Stella's Empanadas, Kearny; Barulich family
• Valley Shepherd Creamery, Long Valley: Eran Wajswol

GARDEN STATE CULINARY LEGEND

A food professional, institution or restaurant with a rich, storied history of high standards, commitment, accomplishment and influence. The contributions of the person, place or institution to the culinary arts in New Jersey must have affected residents in positive ways for at least 10 years.

• Mikey Azzara, founder/owner, Zone 7, Ringoes, East Amwell Township
• D’Artagnan, Union
• Del Buono’s Bakery, Haddon Heights
• Fiore’s, Hoboken
• Knife & Fork Inn, Atlantic City
• Kevin Kohler, chef and owner, Café Panache, Ramsey
• Aldo Lamberti, owner, Caffe Aldo Lamberti, Cherry Hill
• Chris Mumford, co-owner, Mumford’s Culinary Center, Tinton Falls
• Mustache Bill’s Diner, Barnegat Light
• Nasto’s “Old World Desserts,” Newark
• Adam Rechnitz, owner, Triumph Brewing Company, Princeton
• Rutt's Hut, Clifton
• Summit Diner, Summit
• Lucille Thompson, chef, The Magnolia Room, The Chalfonte Hotel, Cape May
• White Manna, Hackensack

(Image via Shutterstock)

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