James Beard Award Semifinalists Announced

Today at noon, the James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists for its 2015 Restaurant and Chef Awards.

Abe Fisher and Townsend were Best New Restaurant nominees. Michael Solomonov and Marc Vetri got nods for Outstanding Chef and Ellen Yin’s new restaurant group received three nominations. Fork was nominated for Outstanding Restaurant and Alex Bois (High Street on Market) and Jon Nodler (a.kitchen) received rising stars nominations.

Best New Restaurant

Abe Fisher
Townsend

Outstanding Baker

Andre Chin and Amanda Eap, Artisan Boulanger Patissier

Outstanding Bar Program

The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.

Outstanding Chef

Michael Solomonov, Zahav
Marc Vetri, Vetri

Outstanding Restaurant

Fork

Outstanding Restaurateur

Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurants (The Dandelion, Talula’s Garden, Serpico, and others)

Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional

Tom Peters, Monk’s Café
Steve Wildy, Vetri Family

Rising Star of the Year

Alex Bois, High Street on Market
Jon Nodler, A.kitchen

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic

Scott Anderson, Elements, Princeton, NJ
Joey Baldino, Zeppoli, Collingswood, NJ
Pierre Calmels, Bibou
Joe Cicala, Le Virtù
Nicholas Elmi, Laurel
Rich Landau, Vedge
Konstantinos Pitsillides, Kanella
Greg Vernick, Vernick Food & Drink