The James Beard Foundation has announced the semifinalists for the 2014 Restaurant and Chef award categories today, and a smattering of Miami culinary professionals made the list. The total number of South Florida semifinalists for 2014 is five, down from last year's seven.
The announcement took place at Orlando's East End Market. The Beard Foundation, by the way, called Orlando "one of Florida's burgeoning culinary hubs." The actual awards ceremony takes place in New York City on May 2 and 5.
See also: James Beard Announces 2013 Semifinalists: Miami Gets Several Nods
Beard award semifinalists were chosen after an online "open call," where anyone could submit their suggestion. Nearly 40,000 submissions were received and were weeded down by the foundation's Restaurant and Chef Awards committee, composed of critics, writers, and editors to the list of semifinalists.
Then, a group of former Beard award winners, committee members, and other regional panelists will cast their votes from the list of semifinalists, with the five in each category with the highest number of votes becoming the nominees for the Beard. The finalists will be announced in Chicago on March 18.
Miami semifinalists for 2014 include:
- The Broken Shaker (Outstanding Bar Program)
- Michael Schwartz, Michael's Genuine Food & Drink (Outstanding Chef)
- Jose Mendin, Pubbelly (Best Chef: South)
- Horacio Rivadero, The District Miami (Best Chef: South)
- Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurants, Philadelphia (Steak 954, Makoto, Verde Restaurant and Bar)
For a complete list of semifinalists, visit jamesbeard.org.
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