Every year, the James Beard Foundation recognizes restaurants, bars and individuals in various categories, from Best New Restaurant to Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional. Today, the nominees for the annual awards (the 2016 ceremony will take place at the Lyric Opera on May 2) were announced, and Chicago was well-represented. The city boasts 27 semifinalists, including 11 in the Best Chefs, Great Lakes category. Take a look at the complete list of Chicago-based semifinalists below and let's keep our fingers crossed for some wins.
Best New Restaurant:
- The Blanchard
- Intro
Outstanding Baker:
- Dave and Megan Miller, Baker Miller
Outstanding Bar Program:
- Lost Lake
Outstanding Chef:
- Tony Mantuano, Spiaggia
- Carrie Nahabedian, Naha
Outstanding Pastry Chef:
- Meg Galus, Boka
Outstanding Restaurant:
- Alinea
Outstanding Restaurateur:
- Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz, Boka Group (Boka, Swift & Sons, Momotaro, Girl & the Goat, GT Fish & Oyster, Balena, Elaine's Coffee Call, The J. Parker, Perennial Virant)
Outstanding Service:
- North Pond
- Topolobampo
Outstanding Wine Program:
- Sepia
Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional:
- Charles Joly, Crafthouse
Rising Star Chef of the Year:
- Tanya Baker, Boarding House
- Edward Sura, Perennial Virant
- Jenner Tomaska, Next
Best Chefs, Great Lakes:
- Jake Bickelhaupt, 42 Grams
- Abraham Conlon, Fat Rice
- Curtis Duffy, Grace
- Paul Fehribach, Big Jones
- Phillip Foss, EL Ideas
- Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark, Parachute
- Ryan McCaskey, Acadia
- Iliana Regan, Elizabeth
- Lee Wolen, Boka
- Erling Wu-Bower, Nico Osteria
- Andrew Zimmerman, Sepia
