Atlanta chefs among James Beard semifinalists

Credit: Alexa Lampasona

Credit: Alexa Lampasona

The James Beard Foundation announced their picks for the Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists for 2014. Nominees were selected from a list of more than 34,000 entries. For the 25th anniversary, the semifinalists are grouped into 21 categories for each of the U.S.'s 10 regions. See this year's full semifinalist list at the end of this press release or online at jamesbeard.org/awards.

Atlanta has 13 nominees. 

Best New Restaurant 

Lusca, Atlanta, GA

Outstanding Pastry Chef

Pamela Moxley, Miller Union, Atlanta, GA

Outstanding Restaurant 

Bacchanalia, Atlanta, GA

Outstanding Restaurateur

Ford Fry, Atlanta, GA (The Optimist, King + Duke, JCT. Kitchen & Bar, and others)

Outstanding Service 

One Flew South, Atlanta, GA

Outstanding Wine Program

Miller Union, Atlanta, GA

Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional 

Steven Grubbs, Empire State South, Atlanta, GA

Rising Star Chef of the Year 

Landon Thompson, Cooks and Soldiers, Atlanta, GA

Outstanding Bar Program

Kimball House, Decatur

Best Chef: Southeast

Billy Allin, Cakes & Ale, Decatur, GA 

Kevin Gillespie, Gunshow, Atlanta, GA

Todd Ginsberg, The General Muir, Atlanta, GA

Steven Satterfield, Miller Union, Atlanta, GA 

The final nominees will be announced on Tuesday, March 24, 2015.