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STAR-ADVERTISER / DEC. 2016
Chef Anthony Rush and Chef Chris Kajioka of Senia in downtown Honolulu.
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Senia restaurant and Vino Italian Tapas &Wine Bar in Honolulu missed the cut to become finalists for a James Beard Award.
Both had been named semifinalists in February, as had many Hawaii-based chefs in the past, but when the James Beard Foundation announced its finalists Wednesday in Los Angeles, the Hawaii entries for Best New Restaurant and Outstanding Wine Program were not among them.
Representatives of both restaurants still feel honored to have been named in the semifinalist round.
“We were honored to be nominated for Best New Restaurant,” said Senia owner Chris Kajioka. The annual competition “is difficult for Hawaii because we don’t have the concentration of writers and voters to come experience what we do as do cities such as San Francisco and New York City.”
Chuck Furuya, master sommelier and partner with chef-owner Dave “D.K.” Kodama in Vino, echoed the feeling. “We were so honored to be considered for such an award and want to thank our employees and guests for their support,” he said.
Three Hawaii chefs have won James Beard Awards in previous years: Roy Yamaguchi in 1993, Alan Wong in 1996 and George Mavrothalassitis in 2003. All were winners in a regional category called “Best Chef: Northwest.” Three Hawaii restaurants have won James Beard Awards in the America’s Classics category: Helena’s Hawaiian Foods in Honolulu (2000), the now-closed Sam Choy’s Kaloko on Hawaii island (2004), and Hamura’s Saimin Stand on Kauai (2006).
