Chicago chefs, restaurants well represented among James Beard Foundation Awards semifinalists

Thirty-two Chicago restaurants are among the semifinalists for the 2015 James Beard Foundation Awards. The culinary world's equivalent of the Oscars will be presented May 4 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago,

Semifinalists were selected from list of more than 34,000 online entries. The awards recognize culinary talent, from exceptional chefs and dining destinations in 10 different regions across the U.S., to the nation's top wine and spirits professionals, best new restaurants, rising star chefs, and new in 2015, honors for Outstanding Baker.

Nominees (from Chicago, unless noted) include:

Best new restaurant: 42 Grams, Parachute

Outstanding baker: Judy Contino, Bittersweet Pastry

Outstanding bar program: The Violet Hour

Outstanding chef: Carrie Nahabedian, Naha

Outstanding pastry chef: Dana Cree, Blackbird; Amanda Rockman, Nico Osteria

Outstanding restaurant: Spiaggia

Outstanding restaurateur: Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz, Boka Restaurant Group (Boka, Girl & the Goat, GT Fish & Oyster, Momotaro, and others); Donnie Madia, One Off Hospitality Group (Blackbird, Avec, The Publican, and others)

Outstanding service: North Pond, Topolombampo

Outstanding wine program: Sepia

Outstanding wine, spirits, or beer professional: Charles Joly, Crafthouse

Rising star chef of the year: Tanya Baker, Boarding House; Christopher Teixeira, Homestead on the Roof

Best chef-Great Lakes: Abraham Conlon, Fat Rice; Curtis Duffy, Grace; Paul Fehribach, Big Jones; Phillip Foss, EL Ideas; Brian Huston, Boltwood, Evanston; Thomas Lents, Sixteen; Ryan McCaskey, Acadia; Paul Virant, Vie, Western Springs; Erling Wu-Bower, Nico Osteria; Andrew Zimmerman, Sepia

Finalists will be announced March 24.