The semifinalist list is out for this year's prestigious James Beard Foundation Awards, and the D.C.-area restaurant scene is well represented in almost all categories.
Some of the semifinalists in national categories include Angel Barreto of Korean restaurant Anju, for Best Emerging Chef, and Oyster Oyster for Best New Restaurant.
"I think like any artist or anyone who does anything creative, you begin to learn your voice and what makes sense to you on a plate, and to have an identity," Barreto recently told NBC Washington.
We're making it easier for you to find stories that matter with our new newsletter — The 4Front. Sign up here and get news that is important for you to your inbox.
The semifinalists in the Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic category include five from D.C. and one from Arlington.
Here are all the D.C.-area semifinalists:
Outstanding Restaurateur
- Ashok Bajaj, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group (Rasika, Bindaas, Annabelle and others) — Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Restaurant
- Métier — Washington, D.C.
Emerging Chef
- Angel Barreto, Anju — Washington, D.C.
Best New Restaurant
- Oyster Oyster — Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Pastry Chef
- Anne Specker, Kinship — Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Wine Program
- Maydan — Washington, D.C.
Outstanding Bar Program
- barmini by José Andrés — Washington, D.C.
Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic
- Angel Barreto, Anju — Washington, D.C.
- Amy Brandwein, Centrolina — Washington, D.C.
- Matt Hill, Ruthie’s All-Day — Arlington, Virginia
- Peter Prime, Cane — Washington, D.C.
- Michael Rafidi, Albi — Washington, D.C.
- Yuan Tang, Rooster & Owl — Washington, D.C.
The winners will be announced in June.
The Scene
The most fun things to do and places to be in D.C., Maryland and Virginia
