James Beard Foundation announced Wednesday the semifinalists for its 2015 Restaurant and Chef Award categories, from "Outstanding Restaurant" to "Rising Star Chef of the Year," and some of Philly's finest made the list.
In the "Best New Restaurant" category are two local spots - Abe Fisher and French restaurant Townsend on East Passyunk Ave.
Andre Chin and Amanda Eap of Artisan Boulanger Patissier on Mifflin St. made the list for "Outstanding Baker."
Two local chefs, Michael Solomonov of Zahav and Marc Vetri of Vetri are semifinalists in the "Outstanding Chef" category, while Fork on Market St. is listed for "Outstanding Restaurant."
The "Rising Star of the Year" list features Alex Bois of High Street on Market and Jon Nodler of A.kitchen.
The "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic" category is riddled with Philly people, including Joe Cicala of Le Virtù, Nicholas Elmi of Laurel, Pierre Calmels of Bibou, Rich Landau of Vedge, Konstantinos Pitsillides of Kanella and Greg Vernick of Vernick Food & Drink.
The foundation will announce the final Restaurant and Chef Award nominees at the James Beard House in New York City on Tuesday, March 24.
See the full list of semifinalists.