This morning the James Beard Foundation announced the restaurant and chef semifinalists for 2014 at a live event at the East End Market in Orlando, Florida. The annual awards, which will take place in May, are often referred to as the Oscars of the culinary world. The long list of semifinalists will be narrowed down to a much shorter list of finalists in March.
Here are the Valley restaurants and chefs who made the cut.
See also: Kevin Binkley Stiffed (Again) at the 2013 James Beard Awards
Virtu Honest Craft, Best New Restauarant Chef Gio Osso
Pizzeria Bianco, Outstanding Restaurant Chef Chris Bianco
Sam Fox, Outstanding Restaurateur Fox Restaurant Concepts
Charleen Badman, Best Chef Southwest FnB Restaurant
Kevin Binkley, Best Chef Southwest Binkley's Restaurant
Silvana Salcido Esparza, Best Chef Southwest Barrio Cafe