Jason Franey and Matt Dillon are 2012 Beard Finalists

This morning, the James Beard Foundation announced its 2012 award finalists at the Venetian and the Palazzo Las Vegas. As was the case last year, Seattle represented with two chefs in the Best Chef Northwest category--Matt Dillon of Sitka and Spruce and Jason Franey of Canlis. Portland took three of the five spots in the Best Chef, Northwest category. The only other restaurant industry finalist was Tom Douglas in the Outstanding Restauranteur category. We had high hopes for Holly Smith, Zig Zag, and Blaine Wetzel making the final cut in their respective national categories, but no luck.

Local food writers who made the final round include ex-Seattleite(now New Yorker) Brad Parsons for Bitters, Maureen O’Hagan of the Seattle Times for Health & Well-Being reporting, and Modernist Cuisine in the "Cookbooks: Cooking From a Professional Point of View" category. Former Seattle Weekly restaurant critic Jason Sheehan is a finalist for work he did for Gilt Taste.

A commenter reminds us that West Seattle resident Christopher Boffoli is a finalist in the category of "Humor" food writing. Congratulations to all finalists and nominees. The awards ceremony takes place on May 7th.

· Here Are the 2012 James Beard Awards Finalists [Eater National]
· All Previous James Beard Awards Coverage on Eater Seattle [-ESEA-]