NC is getting a lot of culinary love this year from the James Beard Foundation, 12 of our own chefs, brewers, bakers and restaurants have been nominated! 

For the second year in a row, Ashley Christensen is up for Outstanding Chef, having previously won the award for Best Chef: Southeast in 2014. Brewery Bhavana, not even a year old, is up for Best New Restaurant in the country. The winners will be announced at a gala in Chicago May 7. Read more via newsobserver.com

NC Finalists:

Best New Restaurant
▪ Brewery Bhavana, Raleigh

Outstanding Baker
▪ David Bauer, Farm & Sparrow, Asheville

Outstanding Chef
▪ Ashley Christensen, Poole’s Diner, Raleigh

Outstanding Wine, Spirits, or Beer Professional
▪ Leah Wong Ashburn, Highland Brewing Co., Asheville

▪ Sean Lilly Wilson, Fullsteam Brewery, Durham

Rising Star Chef of the Year
▪ Gabe Barker, Pizzeria Mercato, Carrboro

Best Chef: Southeast
▪ Katie Button, Nightbell, Asheville

▪ Vivian Howard, Chef & the Farmer, Kinston

▪ Meherwan Irani, Chai Pani, Asheville

▪ Sam Jones, Sam Jones BBQ, Winterville

▪ Joe Kindred, Kindred, Davidson

▪ Cheetie Kumar, Garland, Raleigh