Chef Joseph Cuccia, Executive Chef of hyper-seasonal 17 Summer in Lodi, has been announced as a semi-finalist in the 2016 James Beard Awards. For the category of Rising Star Chef of the Year, Cuccia made the list with 26 others who are “age 30 or younger who displays an impressive talent and who is likely to make a significant impact on the industry in years to come”. Finalists will be announced on Tuesday, March 15, in San Francisco with winners announced at the James Beard Awards Gala on Monday, May 2, 2016 in Chicago.

The 26th annual James Beard Foundation Awards nominees are selected from a list of more than 20,000 online entries, with semifinalists in 21 categories representing a wide range of culinary talent – from exceptional chefs and dining destinations in ten different regions across the U.S., to the nation’s top wine and spirits professionals, best new restaurants, rising star chefs, pastry chefs and bakers. Full info on the James Beard Awards.

17 Summer, which is under a year in business (March 2015), opened in advance of their  appearance on CNBC’s Restaurant Startup. Run by brother and sister team Joseph and Jenna Cuccia, the 28 seat restaurant is BYO and open for dinner Tuesday thru Saturday from 5:00pm-10:00pm.

17 Summer 17 Summer Street, Lodi, NJ Website

[photo source: 17 Summer]