MB Post, Picca Semifinalists for 2012 Beard Awards

Today, the James Beard Foundation announced the semifinalists for this year's restaurant and chef awards. The final nominees will be named on March 19 and will be streamed live on Eater National. Not surprisingly, MB Post and Picca made the Best New Restaurant semifinalist list, and both Suzanne Goin and Nancy Silverton are on the list in the Outstanding Chef category. Here, LA's standout semifinalist candidates:

Best New Restaurant: MB Post, Picca
Outstanding Bar Program: Rivera
Outstanding Chef: Suzanne Goin, Nancy Silverton
Outstanding Pastry Chef: Dahlia Narvaez (Osteria Mozza)
Outstanding Restaurant: Patina
Outstanding Restaurateur: Piero Selvaggio (Valentino), Caroline Styne (AOC, Lucques)
Rising Star Chef: Chad Colby (Mozza 2Go), Joshua Drew (Farmshop), Casey Lane (The Tasting Kitchen), Micah Wexler (Mezze), Kris Yenbamroong (Talésai)

The awards will take place at a gala event on Monday, May 7 at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.
·JBF Announces 2012 Restaurant and Chef Semifinalists [-EN-]