Nosh Pit

James Beard Semifinalists Announced

Here’s how your local chefs fared.

Posted by: Jessica Voelker on Feb 17, 2011 at 02:00PM0 Comments

Staple and Fancy in Ballard is a James Beard semi-finalist for the best new restaurant award. Chef/owner Ethan Stowell is up best chef Northwest (again).

The James Beard Foundation announced its semi-finalists today. (The JBF website appears to be struggling under the weight of the news, I think this happened last year too. Huffington Post has the full list.)

Finalists will be announced on March 21.

Here’s the list of Seattle contenders—no big surprises, a number of repeats—and their categories:

Best New Restaurant
Staple and Fancy Mercantile

Outstanding Chef
Jerry Traunfeld, Poppy
Holly Smith, Cafe Juanita

Outstanding Restaurateur
Tom Douglas

Outstanding Restaurant
Cafe Juanita

Outstanding Service
Canlis

Outstanding Wine Service
Canlis

Best Chef Northwest
Seif Chirchi and Rachel Yang, Joule
Matt Dillon, Sitka & Spruce
Mark Fuller, Spring Hill
Ethan Stowell, Staple and Fancy Mercantile
Jason Stratton, Spinasse

Blaine Wetzel of Lummi Island’s The Willows Inn is up for Rising Star Chef of the Year.

Tags: New Seattle Restaurants, Seattle Restaurants, Seattle Chefs, James Beard Awards