Two Maine bakeries were named winners at the 2024 James Beard Awards, the prestigious culinary honors that were held Tuesday night in Chicago.
Zu Bakery in Portland was named the country’s Outstanding Bakery, and Atsuko Fujimoto of Norimoto Bakery in Portland was named Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker.
Zu Bakery began in 2000 as a Freeport-based farmers market bakery for Barak Olins, and progressed to a standalone space in Portland’s West End in 2022. Olins specializes in artisan bread, scones and laminated pastries, and has been involved in the southern Maine food scene for nearly three decades.
Fujimoto opened Norimoto Bakery in Portland’s Deering Center in 2021, combining, as she says, “European baking, Japanese sensibilities and Maine ingredients.” Fujimoto got her start in food at Fore Street in Portland, before moving on to Standard Baking Co., both of which have won multiple Beard Awards.
Two other Mainers were also up for awards last night, including Jake Stevens of Leeward for Best Chef Northeast and Woodford Food & Beverage for Outstanding Hospitality, both in Portland. Best Chef Northeast this year went to David Standridge of the Shipwright’s Daughter in Mystic, Connecticut.
Maine was also represented in last year’s James Beard Awards, when Marilu Ranta of The Quarry in Monson won in the Outstanding Hospitality category.
