2 Lambertville Restaurants Nominated For NJ Culinary Arts Awards

Nominees for the 2018 Garden State Culinary Arts Awards were announced this week by the newly formed nonprofit organization, the Garden State Culinary Arts Foundation. The awards will honor New Jersey's finest restaurants, chefs, farmers, food artisans and markets, as well as professionals in the beer, wine and spirits industries.

Three Hunterdon County spots were among the nominees, including two popular Lambertville restaurants.

Hamilton's Grill Room in Lambertville was nominated in the Best Restaurant category. To be nominated for the coveted Best Restaurant category, the establishment must display overall excellence and consistency of quality in food, atmosphere and service, and has set high standards in the industry, according to the Garden State Culinary Arts Foundation.

El Tule in Lambertville was nominated in the Best Neighborhood Food Establishment for Central New Jersey category. Nominees in this category are informal, moderately priced, and independently owned eateries "with high-quality food that reflects the character of New Jersey and/or its surrounding community."

Mikey Azzara from Zone 7, a farm fresh food distributor based in Ringoes, was nominated in the Garden State Culinary Legend category. This honor is reserved for a food professional with a "rich, storied history of high standards, commitment, accomplishment and influence."

An independent voting body that includes 150 food writers and critics, members of the Garden State Awards Committee and winners of the 2017 Garden State Culinary Arts Awards began casting votes this week. The top three vote-getters in each of the 15 awards categories will be named finalists in their respective categories, and a second round of voting will determine the winner.

The winners will be announced and awards given out at a gala ceremony and reception on Sunday, April 29 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at BellWorks in Holmdel. A limited number of tickets will go on sale next week for the gala.

Click here to see a full list of nominees.

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