Philly chefs make the cut for James Beard semifinals

Several Philly names made the list of James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists, announced today. The final nominees will be revealed March 24.

Among them, Michael Solomonov and Marc Vetri are both up for honors in the Outstanding Chef category, for Zahav and for Vetri. Alex Bois of High Street on Market and Jon Nodler of a.kitchen are on the list for Rising Star Chef of the Year, while Townsend and Abe Fisher are in the running for Best New Restaurant.

Here are all the local nominees, by category:

Best new restaurant:

Abe Fisher

Townsend

Outstanding bar program:

The Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.

Outstanding chef:

Michael Solomonov, Zahav

Marc Vetri, Vetri

Outstanding pastry chef:

Kate Jacoby, Vedge

Outstanding restaurant:

Fork

Outstanding restaurateur:

Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurants

Outstanding wine, spirits or beer professional:

Tom Peters, Monks Café

Steve Wildy, Vetri Family

Rising star chef of the year:

Alex Bois, High Street on Market

Jon Nodler, a.kitchen

Best chef, Mid-Atlantic:

Pierre Calmels, Bibou

Joe Cicala, Le Virtu

Nicholas Elmi, Laurel

Rich Landau, Vedge

Konstantinos Pitsillides, Kanella

Greg Vernick, Vernick Food & Drink