
Did Your Favorite NH Spot Make the 2025 James Beard List? Meet the 3 Semifinalists
The James Beard Award semifinalists have been revealed for 2025.
A celebration of the best of the best throughout the country, the prestigious awards recognize "leaders in the culinary and food media industries," according to the James Beard Foundation's website.
For this particular year, New Hampshire is represented by three semifinalists.
Super Secret Ice Cream in Bethlehem, New Hampshire
For the category of Outstanding Bakery, Super Secret Ice Cream in Bethlehem, New Hampshire, is in the running.
According to the ice cream place's website, they use milk and cream from a North Haverhill farm for their ice cream and don't use "flavored syrups or artificial anything."
So of course, they serve up delicious ice cream, but they also have ice cream cakes, ice cream sandwiches, and ice cream pies.
The spot also has high marks on Yelp and TripAdvisor, if you need some extra encouragement to visit.
One more fun fact: Kristina Zontini of Super Secret Ice Cream was a 2024 James Beard semifinalist. Not too shabby.
READ MORE: New England Home to 7 of the Best Ice Cream Shops in the Nation, According to Yelp
As for the other two?
They are going head to head in the category of Best Chef: Northeast.
That would be Lee Frank of Otis. Restaurant in Exeter, New Hampshire, and Nicole Nocella of Stalk in Dover, New Hampshire.
Otis. Restaurant in Exeter, New Hampshire
According to Otis. Restaurant's website, Frank has been cooking on the Seacoast since 2005, and Otis. serves up "Modern American food driven by locally sourced ingredients."
Frank was also a James Beard 2024 semifinalist, too!
A recent TripAdvisor review was thrilled with the experience at Frank's restaurant saying, "Everything was fresh, local and seasonal. The menu was interesting and inspired. I highly recommend making a reservation if you are in the area."
Stalk in Dover, New Hampshire.
According to Stalk's Instagram bio, "Chef Nicole brings Modern American Cuisine with an around the globe flare to Downtown Dover."
The restaurant, which opened right before the pandemic hit in 2020, is celebrating five years and still going strong.
And just take a look at the photo below if you're feeling hungry.
A recent Yelp review praised the restaurant: "Stalk, one of Dover's finest restaurants, offers a delightful culinary experience. The menu occasionally changes, but the Chef consistently serves visually appealing and delectable dishes."
READ MORE: Meet the 10 Maine Semifinalists for the 2025 James Beard Awards
Congratulations to the three for getting such major recognition. And if you haven't stopped into one of these New Hampshire spots yet, maybe now is the time to check them out.
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