Local chefs, restaurants named James Beard semi-finalists
Some local chefs and restaurants have been named semi-finalists for the annual James Beard Foundation awards.
The awards are often referred to as "The Oscars of Food," and the Triangle has a legacy of taking home honors.
Two chefs were named semi-finalists for outstanding baker in the country. Phoebe Lawless of Durham's Scratch Bakery and Lionel Vatinet of La Farm Bakery were on the list.
James Beard award winning chef Ashley Christensen's Death and Taxes was named a semi-finalist for best new restaurant in the country. Christensen was also named a semi-finalist for best chef.
Cynthia Wong, of Rhubarb in Asheville was named a semi-finalist for best pastry chef.
North Carolina is also well-represented in the list of semi-finalists for best chef in the southeast. Among those on the list:
- Scott Crawford of Standard Foods in Raleigh
- Steven Devereaux Greene of Herons in the Umstead Hotel in Cary
- Aaron Vandemark of Panciuto in Hillsborough
- Vivian Howard of the Chef and the Farmer in Kinston
- Matt Kelly of Mateo Tapas in Durham
- Nate Allen of Knife and Fork in Spruce Pine
- Brian Canipelli of Cucina 24 in Asheville
- Joe Kindred of Kindred in Davidson
Finalists will be named March 15. The winners will be announced during a gala at Lyric Opera of Chicago in New York City on May 2.
