Chicago's restaurant industry hopes that hosting the James Beard Awards again will give its local nominees some semblance of home-field advantage. When including ABC-7's Hungry Hound, Steve Dolinsky, 11 Chicago nominees were named Beard finalists this year. The awards gala takes place on May 1 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
In anticipation for the red carpet, check out this map of finalists. With all five nominees for "Best Chef: Great Lakes," from Chicago restaurants, perhaps the Beards will eventually break out Chicago in the same manner as The Big Apple, which has the "Best Chef: New York City" category. Here's the overall list of this year's finalists.
Consider this something to chew on before this year's awards gala. Listed in alphabetical order.
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