Alex Seidel, Jeff Osaka and more Denver chefs among James Beard Foundation semi-finalists

Earlier today, in a live stream from Orlando, Florida, the James Beard Foundation rolled out its culinary red carpet of semi-finalists in several categories, including Outstanding Bar Program, Outstanding Pastry Chef, Outstanding Restaurateur, Outstanding Wine Program, Rising Star Chef of the Year and Best Chef, Southwest -- all of which...

By Lori Midson

February 19, 2014

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Earlier today, in a live stream from Orlando, Florida, the James Beard Foundation rolled out its culinary red carpet of semi-finalists in several categories, including Outstanding Bar Program, Outstanding Pastry Chef, Outstanding Restaurateur, Outstanding Wine Program, Rising Star Chef of the Year and Best Chef, Southwest -- all of which are award categories that trumpet at least one Colorado chef or restaurant.

Last year, Jennifer Jasinski, exec chef-owner of Rioja, Bistro Vendome and Euclid Hall strutted home with the Best Chef, Southwest James Beard award, while Frasca Food and Wine took home the Outstanding Wine Program award.

Flip the page to see who's vying for this year's prestigious medallions.

And the nominations are...

Outstanding Bar Program: Williams & Graham Outstanding Pastry Chef: Yasmin Lozada-Hissom, Spuntino Outstanding Restaurateur: Frank Bonanno, Mizuna, Osteria Marco, Bones, Luca d'Italia, Green Russell, Russell's Smokehouse, Lou's, Wednesday Pie, Vesper Lounge and Bonanno Brothers Pizza and the forthcoming Salt & Grinder Outstanding Wine Program: The Little Nell Rising Star Chef of the Year: Jorel Pierce, Euclid Hall and the forthcoming Stoic & Genuine Best Chef, Southwest: Jeff Osaka, Twelve and Alex Seidel, Fruition

The finalists in the Restaurant and Chef award categories, as well as the nominations for Book, Journalism, Broadcast and Restaurant Design awards, will be announced at the Publican in Chicago on Wednesday, March 19. Winners of the 2014 James Beard Awards -- the Oscars of the food world -- will be proclaimed in New York City on May 2 and 5 at Lincoln Center.

Congratulations to all the semi-finalists from Colorado!

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