New Hampshire
Two returnees, one newbie, represent New Hampshire on James Beard semifinalist list – Manchester Ink Link
MANCHESTER, NH – Two New Hampshire repeat nominees and one new addition are among the James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists announced this week.
The James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards, presented since 1991, celebrate excellence across all types of dining experiences, from fine dining to casual establishments. The New Hampshire establishments recognized this week are among 38 semifinalists across New England named in 25 categories.
Super Secret Ice Cream, of Bethlehem, and chef Lee Frank, who owns Otis in Exeter, were both semifinalists, though each with a twist, last year. Nicole Nocella, owner and chef at Stalk, in Dover, is a newcomer to the Best Chef Northeast Region category.
Super Secret Ice Cream is one of 20 semifinalists in the Outstanding Bakery category, which recognizes “bakers of bread, pastries, or desserts that demonstrate consistent excellence in food, atmosphere, hospitality, and operations.”
Kristina Zontini, of Super Secret, was named a semifinalist for outstanding pastry chef or baker last year.
The shop, at 2213 Main St. in Bethlehem, makes its own ice cream base with local milk and cream from neighboring farm Hatchland Dairy. “We don’t use flavored syrups or artificial anything,” Super Secret says on its website. “Everything that goes into our ice cream is made in our kitchen or sourced through partnerships with local farms.”
Super Secret Ice Cream, which began as a food cart, opened its bricks and mortar location in 2022 with a takeout window, and then as a full ice cream shop in early 2023. It operates year-round.
After Kontini was nominated last year, she told New Hampshire Magazine, “We feel really lucky, and I hope it sheds light on ice cream as a craft. Also, our area is really cool, and I don’t think New Hampshire is represented enough — and there’s some really cool female-owned businesses in our town, and surrounding towns.”
Lee Frank, owner of Otis Restaurant in Exeter is a semifinalist for Best Chef Northeast Region, but as owner and chef of Lee Frank’s in South Berwick and Wells, Maine.
Last year, Frank was named a semifinalist in the same category, but in his role at Otis.
Lee Frank’s opened in South Berwick in 2021, and Frank plans to open a third Lee Frank’s location in Exeter soon, according to the restaurant website. The hot dog and burger restaurant harkens back to the chef’s early culinary days in California, he said.
“I am incredibly humbled and honored to be named a James Beard Semifinalist for Best Chef Northeast, let alone for a second time,” Frank posted on his Facebook page. “The talent throughout New England is amazing and being mentioned next to any of these names is truly an honor. Congratulations to all those nominated and all those that work so hard and are so talented!”
Nocella, chef and owner of Stalk, at 286 Central Ave., in Dover, is also one of 20 Best Chef semifinalists in the Northeast Region, which includes the six New England states. Stalk is celebrating its fifth anniversary this month.
The category recognizes chefs who “set high standards in their culinary skills and leadership abilities and who are making efforts to help create a sustainable work culture in their respective regions, while contributing positively to their broader community.”
“I am absolutely floored & over humbled by receiving the news of being nominated for a Semi Finalist James Beard Award!,” Nocella said in a post on Stalk’s Facebook page. “Thank you for the amazing support & love shown for my cooking over the years! Can’t Wait to Cheers you all!”
The James Beard Foundation accepts nominees for its awards during an online open call in October and November. Candidates for restaurant awards must be establishments (restaurants, pop-ups, or food trucks) that serve food and are open to the public. They must be reasonably accessible to the public and be open for business (or accept and fill orders) a minimum of twice a month. Nominated individuals must be actively making food or beverages that are available to the public. A subcommittee of judges reviews nominees, including a tasting period, and votes on semifinalists, as well as finalists.
Finalists for the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards are announced April 2, and the winners are announced June 16, at an awards ceremony that will be held at Lyric Opera, in Chicago.
This year, in honor of the 35th anniversary of the awards as well as “in recognition of the ever-evolving independent restaurant landscape,” there were three new categories as part of an expanded focus on beverages: Best New Bar, Outstanding Professional in Beverage Service, and Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service. The James Beard Foundation lists all the semifinalists on its website.
The federal government has activated the New Hampshire National Guard’s 157th Air Refueling Wing in connection with the war with Iran.
“I’ve had a briefing myself, a classified briefing, but it’s really important on the messaging on this that we really coordinate with the Pentagon,” Gov. Kelly Ayotte told reporters during a press briefing following Wednesday’s Executive Council meeting.
Ayotte said she was unable to share additional details about the nature of the New Hampshire National Guard’s activity related to the conflict, including how many guard members have been activated or what role they are playing.
“We’re going to respect what messaging comes out of the Pentagon just to make sure that our men and women in uniform are fully protected and that we aren’t providing any information that could be used in a way that would be harmful to them,” Ayotte said.
In a statement Thursday, Ayotte said the unit had been deployed in late February to the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility in support of the operation.
Earlier this week, Pentagon officials confirmed that members of the Vermont National Guard were involved in attacks against Iran over the weekend, though our news partners at Vermont Public were not able to confirm additional details on the nature of the operation.
During the briefing with local reporters, Ayotte also stressed her support for servicemembers and those close to them.
“I have such respect for our men and women in uniform,” Ayotte said. “As you know, I come from a military family, and they have our full support, and we appreciate them and their families, and obviously anyone who is serving right now, and my thoughts and prayers go out to those who have lost someone that they love.”
By PAULA TRACY, InDepthNH.org
CONCORD – While Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte has said she opposes increasing highway toll rates across the state, the Senate voted Thursday to increase rates for out-of-state license plate holders.
It now goes to the House for consideration.
This would be a $1 increase for those who have out of state plates going through the tolls at Hooksett, Hampton and Bedford for out-of-state plates, a 75 cent hike for those taking Hampton’s Exit 2 and on the Spaulding turnpike at Rochester, and a 50 cent hike for those taking the exit off I-93 to Hooksett.
An analysis in the bill shows that this would increase toll revenue by $53.3 million in fiscal year 2027 and go up each year to generate $81.4 million a year in 2036.
Senate Bill 627 passed on a voice vote with two Republicans, Senators Regina Birdsell of Hampstead and William Gannon of Sandown opposing.
Senator Mark E. McConkey, R-Freedom, moved to take the bill off the table and offered an amendment.
He said the last time there was a systemwide increase to the turnpike toll was 19 years ago.
“I am sure we could all agree the cost of operations…has continued to escalate when revenue is not rising with it,” and he noted that with an enterprise fund, the state can only spend what it takes in.
The state has just completed a 10-year highway plan and there was a $400 million shortfall in projects that could not be paid for under the current income.
McConkey said the measure would not increase tolls for New Hampshire drivers with a state license plate.
“Why don’t we ask our neighbors,” to pay a toll increase. “We are getting the best of all worlds,” by passing the bill, he said, including “protecting our residents” and having resources for improvements to the turnpike system.
Sen. Gannon, R-Sandown, asked McConkey if there are any studies on impacts near the border on businesses.
If implemented, McConkey said the state will be the 27th lowest in per mile cost still. McConkey said the bill would also increase from seven to 14 days the amount of time for those with NH license plates to pay for a toll adding there are other states that also have different rates for out-of-state users.
The Hampton toll cost would go from $2 to $3, while Hooksett and Bedford would rise from $1 to $2 for out-of-state plates.
New Hampshire currently has the lowest rate per mile among states with tolls roads.
The governor said she does not support a toll increase.
“We are not going to put a burden on drivers for a toll increase,” Ayotte said. “Families are struggling.”
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