Check Out Seattle's 2015 James Beard Award Semifinalists

The James Beard Foundation has released their list of semifinalists for this year's Restaurant and Chef Awards. Seattle — or, more accurately, the Greater Seattle area — is well represented, with at least one nominee in every category. Some are familiar faces when it comes to these awards (ahem, Canlis), but there are a few surprising, first-time nominees as well.

Finalists will be announced March 24, with the actual winners awarded at a May 4 ceremony in Chicago. Drum roll, please:

Outstanding Chef: Holly Smith, Cafe Juanita, Kirkland (and currently popping up at the former Lark space on 12th Avenue)

Outstanding Baker: Evan Andres, Columbia City Bakery

Outstanding Bar Program: Canon

Outstanding Restaurant: Canlis

Outstanding Restaurateur: Ethan Stowell Restaurants

Rising Star of the Year: Jay Blackington, Hogstone's Wood Oven, Orcas Island

Outstanding Wine Program: Wild Ginger (Seattle)

Best Chef: Northwest

Eric Donnelly, RockCreek, Seattle
Renee Erickson, The Whale Wins, Seattle
Nathan Lockwood, Altura, Seattle
Garrett Melkonian, Mamnoon, Seattle
Dustin Ronspies, Art of the Table, Seattle
Jason Stratton, Spinasse, Seattle
Blaine Wetzel, The Willows Inn on Lummi Island, Lummi Island, WA
Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi, Joule, Seattle