Ugly Duckling, Sur Lie Win Maine Lobster Awards
The Portland restaurants earned top honors at the annual Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Food and Drink
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Portland chefs Cullen Stileski of Ugly Duckling and Sam Helmke of Sur Lie secured victory at the 2026 Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition. The event saw 10 chef teams compete for top prizes during the annual Harvest on the Harbor festival.
Why it matters
The competition highlights regional culinary talent by challenging chefs to craft innovative lobster-based dishes. Winning these awards serves as a significant accolade for local restaurants within Maine's competitive food scene.
A total of 10 chef teams competed in the event. This year marked another iteration of the contest hosted during the Harvest on the Harbor food and beverage festival.
The players
Cullen Stileski
He is a chef at Ugly Duckling who won the Judges' Selection award at the competition.
Sam Helmke
He is a chef at Sur Lie who won the People's Choice award.
Nick Kimball
He is a chef at Brix + Brine who secured the runner-up position for the People's Choice award.
The details
Contestants were tasked with creating lobster-centric dishes that were evaluated by both professional judges and attendees. Chef Nick Kimball of Brix + Brine in Ogunquit earned the runner-up position for the People's Choice award.
Timeline
The Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition occurred on Friday, October 16, 2026.
Industry Dynamics
This competition continues the tradition of showcasing regional excellence established by the Harvest on the Harbor food and beverage festival. Such events serve to elevate the profile of local restaurants in an increasingly crowded hospitality market.
Local diners can visit the winning restaurants in Portland to sample the award-winning culinary standards recognized at the event. These accolades provide a practical guide for residents and visitors looking to experience high-quality local cuisine.
The takeaway
These awards demonstrate the high caliber of seafood preparation found throughout Portland's dining scene. Enthusiasts can support these winning establishments to experience the latest innovations in Maine's signature ingredient.
Further reading
Discover more about the local culinary scene in Portland Food and Drink.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Portland Press Herald.
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