Maine Chef Geoffroy Deconinck will compete for the title of “People’s Best New Chef,” a new national award from Food & Wine magazine and CNN’s popular food blog “Eatocracy.”

Deconinck, a native of Belgium, became executive chef of Natalie’s, the restaurant at the Camden Harbour Inn, last fall. He will be one of 100 chefs from 10 regions of the country vying for the new award.

The winner will be determined by the public through online voting.

It’s unclear whether there will be other Maine chefs in the running. The complete list of chefs who are up for the award won’t be released until Tuesday morning, when online voting begins.

Deconinck, known for his innovative approach to traditional French cuisine, has worked at Restaurant Alain Ducasse in Paris and at Cafe Boulud, Restaurant Daneil and Bouley Restaurant in New York City.

The “People’s Best New Chef” award is an extension of Food & Wine’s prestigious Best New Chef award, which is given to 10 chefs from around the country who have run their own kitchen for no more than five years. Portland chef Rob Evans of Hugo’s took home that honor in 2004, and Steve Corry of Five Fifty-Five won in 2007.

The Best New Chef award is chosen by the editors of Food & Wine magazine.

Voting for the “People’s Best New Chef” award begins Tuesday and runs through March 1 at www.foodandwine.com/peoples-bnc