West Chester Restaurant A Semifinalist For James Beard Award

WEST CHESTER, PA — A West Chester eatery has been named a semifinalist in a national competition considered the "Oscars of the culinary world."

The much celebrated Andiario, located on 106 W. Gay Street, was nominated in the "Best New Restaurant" category.

The upscale eatery sources ingredients seasonally from local "farmers, craftsmen, and purveyors," according to owners.

Chef and co-owner Anthony Andiario, a native of northeastern Pennsylvania, honed his skills in the kitchens of Phoenix for fourteen years, where he learned to "appreciate the connection between unadulterated product and exceptional food."

The prestigious Restaurant and Chef Award semifinalists represent a wide range of culinary talent, from exceptional chefs and dining destinations nationally and across 10 different regions. The 21 award categories include best new restaurants, outstanding bars, outstanding bakers and rising star chefs 30 years of age or younger.

The final winners will be announced during a press conference in Houston on Wednesday, March 27. It will be hosted by James Beard Award–winning chef Hugo Ortega at his namesake Mexican restaurant, Hugo's.

The James Beard Foundation solicits entries for the awards in mid-October of each year. They are reviewed by the Restaurant and Chef Committee to determine eligibility and regional representation, and are then voted on by more than 600 judges from across the country to determine the final nominees.

The same group of judges, which is comprised of leading regional restaurant critics, food and wine editors, culinary educators, and past James Beard Award winners, then votes on the nominees to select the winners.

Tabulations to determine the nominees and winners are done by independent auditors Lutz & Carr. The governing Awards committee, board of trustees, and staff of the James Beard Foundation do not vote, and the results are kept confidential until the presentation of winners in May.

Click here for the complete list of semifinalists.

With reporting from the Patch national desk