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The James Beard Foundation released their list of 2015 semifinalists today, and Austin nabs a total of six spots. The lengthy list will be narrowed down to a selection of finalists next month.
Southern-influenced Olamaie is a semifinalist for restaurant of the year, and co-chef Grae Nonas is a semifinalist in the Rising Star category, as are Mark Buley and Sam Hellman-Mass from Odd Duck. Austin-based semifinalists for Best Chef Southwest are David Bull of Congress, Aaron Franklin of Franklin Barbecue, and Bryce Gilmore for Barley Swine. Bull was a semifinalist last year, and Gilmore was a finalist. This year's finalists will be announced Tuesday, March 24, and the chef and restaurant winners will be revealed at a May 4 gala at the Lyric Opera in Chicago.
