The prestigious James Beard Foundation has announced their semifinalists for Best Chef: Southeast, and three local chefs made the cut! Chefs Ken Vedrinski of Trattoria Lucca (not Sienna as listed by the James Beard Awards), Craig Deihl of Cypress and Sean Brock of McCrady’s.

The annual James Beard Awards include categories like: Best Restaurantuer, Outstanding Service, Best New Restaurant and many more. Every year, Charleston is well-represented in the semi-finals, and a Charleston chef won the Best Chef: Southeast category for the last two years (2009- Mike Lata of FIG (below), 2008- Robert Stehling of Hominy Grill)

Mike Lata of FIG, 2009 Best Chef: Southeast winner

The finalists will be announced at a later date and the awards will be given out on May 3 in New York City. Click here to view the entire list of semi-finalists. GO TEAM CHARLESTON!