15 Philadelphia Area Restaurants Nominated As James Beard Semifinalists

The semifinalists for the annual James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards have been announced, and the Philadelphia area is well-represented.

A total of fifteen nominees from the area made the cut to the semi-final list in eight different categories.

Most of the nominated restaurants were in Philadelphia. However, Montgomery County’s Tired Hands Fermentaria, based in Ardmore, received a nomination in the “Outstanding Bar” category.

The awards recognize the best of the best in the restaurant business across America, including Oustanding Baker, Pastry Chef, Restaurateur, and more.

The finalists will be announced in a Tuesday, March 15 ceremony, and the 2016 James Beard Awards Gala will be held at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on Monday, May 2.

The Beard Foundation is named in honor of James Beard, an educator and mentor of a generation of professional chefs and food enthusiasts. The foundation continues his work by creating programs and events that inspire and carry on a legacy of culinary excellence.

Outstanding Baker:

Andre Chin and Amanda Eap, Artisan Boulanger Patissier, Philadelphia

Outstanding Bar:

The Olde Bar, Philadelphia

Tired Hands Fermentaria, Ardmore, PA

Outstanding Chef:

Michael Solomonov, Zahav, Philadelphia

Marc Vetri, Vetri, Philadelphia

Outstanding Pastry Chef:

Kate Jacoby, Vedge, Philadelphia

Outstanding Restauranteur:

Stephen Starr, Starr Restaurants, Philadelphia (Serpico, The Dandelion, Talula’s Garden, and others)

Outstanding Service:

Zahav, Philadelphia

Rising Star Chef of the Year:

Alex Bois, High Street on Market, Philadelphia

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic

Joey Baldino, Zeppoli, Collingswood, NJ

Joe Cicala, Le Virtù, Philadelphia

Konstantinos Pitsillides, Kanella South, Philadelphia

Greg Vernick, Vernick Food & Drink, Philadelphia

Eli Kulp, Fork, Philadelphia

Rich Landau, Vedge, Philadelphia