Bay Area chefs and restaurants are poised to shine at the 2015 James Beard Awards, known as the "Oscars of food."
The James Beard Foundation announced the list of this year's semifinalists Wednesday, with finalists to be named on March 24.
Among the contenders are young San Francisco restaurants The Progress and Lazy Bear, both vying for Best New Restaurant; city staples Greens, Acquerello and Restaurant Gary Danko, each up for Outstanding Restaurant; and SF bars Trick Dog and Bar Agricole, facing off in hopes of an Outstanding Bar Program nod.
Michael Tusk of Quince and Cotogna restaurants and leading Bay Area female chefs Nancy Oakes (Boulevard) and Traci Des Jardins (Jardinière) are all hoping to make the final list for Outstanding Chef.
Meanwhile, two local chefs under 30 are eligible for the Rising Star Chef of the Year category: Jessica Largey from Manresa in Los Gatos and Jeremy Wayne from La Folie in SF.
The Bay Area has also received semifinalist nominations in categories for the Pacific Coast as well as national awards for baking, pastry chefs, wine and service.
Winners will be given James Beard Awards medals in a ceremony on May 4 in Chicago.
