2012 James Beard Awards Semi-Finalists

The James Beard Foundation announced the semi-finalists for this year’s JBF awards. Maine scored 8 semi-final nominations:

• Petite Jacqueline for Best New Restaurant
• Melissa Kelly at Primo in Rockland for Outstanding Chef
• Fore Street for Outstanding Restaurant
• and for Best Chef Northeast:
• Krista Kern Desjarlais at Bresca
• Demos Regas at Emilitsa
• Danai Sriprasert and Nattasak Wongsaichua at Boda
• Penelle, Megan, and Phoebe Chase and Ted LaFage at Chase’s Daily in Belfast
• Brian Hill at Francine Bistro in Camden

The final list of nominees is due out on March 19 and the awards ceremony takes place May 7.

For reference take a look at the semi-finalist lists in 2011 and 2010.