St. Louis area nets seven James Beard Foundation Award semifinalists

The finalists will be named on March 27 and the awards gala will take place in Chicago on May 6.

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The semifinalists for the 2019 James Beard Awards were announced this morning. Six chefs and one restaurant/bar made the prestigious list.

The semifinalists are as follows:

Best Chef-Midwest (20 nominees):

  • Michael Gallina - Vicia
  • Lona Luo - Lona's Lil Eats (also nominated in 2018)
  • Jesse Mendica - Olive + Oak (also nominated in 2017)
  • Ny Vongsaly - Billie-Jean

Rising Star Chef of the Year (23 nominees):

  • Nick Bognar - Nippon Tei

Outstanding Bar Program (20 nominees):

  • Planter's House

Outstanding Baker (20 nominees):

  • Nathaniel Reid - Nathaniel Reid Bakery

St. Louis chefs have brought home the Best Chef: Midwest award twice in the last four years: Gerard Craft (Niche) in 2015 and Kevin Nashan (Sidney Street Cafe) in 2017. Gioia's Deli won an America's Classics Award in 2017, the first time a St. Louis restaurant was recognized since that award’s inception in 1998.

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