Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop, 2 Anchorage chefs named James Beard Award semifinalists

Jan 22

Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop, Anchorage chefs Nathan Bentley of Altura Bistro and Mike Dodge of Whisky & Ramen, and the Tutka Bay Lodge near Kachemak Bay have been named semifinalists for prestigious James Beard Awards.

The James Beard Foundation, which announced its 2026 Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists Wednesday, is among the biggest names in the culinary and hospitality industry. The awards were established in 1990 to recognize outstanding talent and achievement in the food world, from culinary arts and hospitality to media.

Fire Island was honored in the Outstanding Bakery category alongside establishments across America from New York City to New Orleans.

General manager Harrison Scheib wasn’t sure whether he was supposed to reveal the nomination but couldn’t help himself when he arrived at the bakery’s Airport Heights location Wednesday morning.

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George Sookiayak

Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop, 2 Anchorage chefs named James Beard Award semifinalists

The Norton Sound

“Gathering news and events from across the Norton Sound and Seward Peninsula—one place, many sources.”

Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop, 2 Anchorage chefs named James Beard Award semifinalists

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The Norton Sound

“Gathering news and events from across the Norton Sound and Seward Peninsula—one place, many sources.”