Last month, the James Beard Foundation announced its semifinalists for the Restaurant and Chef Awards. Today that list—which includes notable locals like Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi of Joule and Revel, as well as Kristi Brown of Communion—got whittled down even further to a tidy list of finalists. 

As part of the changes introduced by the foundation's recent audit, a newly convened tasting panel will ensure someone visits each nominee as part of the selection process. The actual winners get announced on June 13 in a Chicago awards ceremony hosted by Kwame Onwuachi of Food & Wine and Top Chef fame. The Foundation will also present its special achievement awards for Humanitarian of the Year, Lifetime Achievement, and America’s Classics winners.

Here are the finalists from Washington and Oregon this year, as well as the entire Best Chef Northwest list. And here's the complete list of this year's nominees.

Outstanding Chef

• Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, Joule, Seattle

Outstanding Restaurant

• The Walrus and the Carpenter, Seattle

Outstanding Restaurateur

• Akkapong “Earl” Ninsom, Langbaan, Hat Yai, Eem, and others, Portland, OR

Best Chef: Northwest and Pacific

• Carlo Lamagna, Magna Kusina, Portland, OR 
• Robynne Maii, Fête, Honolulu 
• Thomas Pisha-Duffly, Oma’s Hideaway, Portland, OR 
• Sheldon Simeon, Tin Roof, Kahului, HI 
• Mutsuko Soma, Kamonegi, Seattle