James Beard semifinalists announced

The James Beard Foundation has released the list of semifinalists for awards in national and regional categories. Many in the restaurant world consider this to be the Academy Awards for their industry. Nominees will be announced on March 31, and winners will be announced and celebrated at the James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards ceremony on Monday, June 15, at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Restaurant and Chef Awards feature 25 categories, which include national categories as well as regional chef honors, acknowledging excellence in culinary, pastry, and beverage programs. The awards are focused on honoring talent, innovation, and dedication across the U.S. food industry. Of local interest, the Foundation’s committee has named the following semifinalists from the state of Michigan: Best New Restaurant: Echelon Kitchen & Bar, Ann Arbor; Best New Bar: Bar Chenin, Detroit (inside the Siren Hotel, Detroit); Best Chef-Great Lakes: (this category includes chefs from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio) Javier Bardauil, Barda, Detroit; John Yelinek, Ladder 4 Wine Bar, Detroit; Andy Elliott and Emily Stewart, Modern Bird, Traverse City; and James Galbraith, PostBoy, New Buffalo. jamesbeard.org