Now that the Oscars are over and we know who wore who and who didn’t eat what to fit into whoever they were wearing, it is time for some awards you can really dig your teeth into.  This year’s James Beard Foundation Award Semifinalists have been announced in 20 different categories.  The categories are:

• Best new Restaurant
• Outstanding Bar Program
• Outstanding Chef
• Outstanding Pastry Chef
• Outstanding Restaurant
• Outstanding Restaurateur
• Outstanding Service
• Outstanding Wine Program
• Outstanding Wine and Spirit Professional
• Rising Star Chef of the Year
• Best Chef:  Great Lakes
• Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic
• Best Chef: Midwest
• Best Chef: Northeast
• Best Chef: Northwest
• Best Chef: NYC
• Best Chef: Pacific
• Best Chef: South
• Best Chef: Southeast
• Best Chef: Southwest

In the coming days and weeks we will be highlighting chefs from each of the categories so stay tuned for some tasty updates and looks into the lives of various Chefs and restaurant kitchens.

Now mark your calendars because on Monday, March 19th there will be a final nominee announcement live from Las Vegas, on Friday, May 4th winners of the book, broadcast and journalism awards will be announced, and on Monday, May 7th the winners of the Chef & Restaurant and Design awards will be announced at the 2012 James Beard Foundation Awards.

Tickets go on sale Monday, March 19. Contact the Awards Box Office at 914.231.6180.