Alison Pray of Standard Baking Co. in Portland will be Maine’s sole representation in this year’s James Beard Awards after being named a finalist in the Outstanding Baker category on Wednesday.
Pray is the only Mainer out of 11 semifinalists this year to make it to the final round for the coveted culinary honors.
Standard Baking Co., located at 75 Commercial St., is a family-owned and operated business that has been part of downtown Portland since 1995, baking a range of artisanal breads from traditional French baguettes to hearty German Vollkornbrot in a 12-ton stone-deck oven.
Standard Baking Co. is co-owned by Alison Pray and Matt James.
Other finalists in the Outstanding Baker category are Dianna Daoheung of Black Seed Bagels in New York City: Zachary Golper of Bien Cuit in Brooklyn, N.Y.; Maura Kilpatrick of Sofra Bakery and Café in Cambridge, Mass.; Belinda Leong and Michel Suas of B. Patisserie in San Francisco; and Greg Wade of Publican Quality Bread in Chicago.
Winners will be announced Monday, May 7, in Chicago.