NEWARK, NJ — A pair of Newark restaurants are among the finalists for the 2018 Garden State Culinary Arts Awards (GSCAA).

According to the GSCAA, Seabra's Marisqueira and Hobby's Delicatessen & Restaurant in Newark have been named as finalists for "Best Neighborhood Food Establishment" in the North category. Seabra's Marisqueira is owned/staffed by Joaquim Fernandes, chef-owner, and Antonio Sousa and Manuel Cerqueira, owners.

Hobby's Delicatessen & Restaurant is owned by Marc and Michael Brummer.

Here's how the GSCAA describes the category:

"An informal, moderately priced, independently owned eatery in New Jersey with high-quality food that reflects the character of New Jersey and/or its surrounding community. Must have been in operation for at least five years." Following a second round of voting, the winners will be selected and announced at a gala ceremony on Sunday, April 29. The GSCAA identifies itself as an independent, juried culinary awards program, and the only one of its kind in New Jersey to honor achievement and excellence in a variety of culinary arts enterprises in the Garden State.

"During the past year, the nine-member GSCA Awards Committee and a statewide body of some 150 judges mined New Jersey for candidates for consideration for the awards," the organization stated. "After winnowing down the names in each category to 10 nominees, the committee and judges voted in a first round of independently tabulated balloting."

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