Alinea, Mantuano, Nahabedian, Boka Highlight Chicago's James Beard Awards Semifinalists

'Tis the season for James Beard Awards announcements, and today brings the revealing of the semifinalists for the 2016 edition of the preeminent restaurant and chef awards in the country. Chicago is well-represented, as the Windy City boasts 27 semifinalists across 12 categories, led by Alinea, Tony Mantuano, Carrie Nahabedian, The Blanchard and Intro.

Read the full list of Chicago nominees below, and head over to Eater National for the long list of nominees around the country. The foundation will announce the finalists on March 15, and winners will be announced on May 2 at the Lyric Opera House in our fair city for the second year in a row.

Outstanding Restaurant:

Alinea

Outstanding Chef:

Tony Mantuano, Spiaggia

Carrie Nahabedian, Naha

Best New Restaurant:

The Blanchard

Intro

Rising Star Chef of the Year:

Tanya Baker, The Boarding House

Edward Sura, Perennial Virant

Jenner Tomaska, Next Restaurant

Outstanding Restaurateur:

Kevin Boehm and Rob Katz, Boka Restaurant Group

Outstanding Bar Program:

Lost Lake

Outstanding Pastry Chef:

Meg Galus, Boka

Outstanding Wine Program:

Sepia

Outstanding Service:

North Pond

Topolobampo

Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional:

Charles Joly, Crafthouse Cocktails

Outstanding Baker:

Dave and Megan Miller, Baker Miller Bakery & Millhouse

Best Chef: Great Lakes:

Jake Bickelhaupt, 42 grams

Abraham Conlon, Fat Rice

Curtis Duffy, Grace

Paul Fehribach, Big Jones

Phillip Foss, EL Ideas

Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark, Parachute

Ryan McCaskey, Acadia

Iliana Regan, Elizabeth Restaurant

Lee Wolen, Boka

Erling Wu-Bower, Nico Osteria

Andrew Zimmerman, Sepia