These are Colorado chefs and restaurants who have been named James Beard 2023 Semifinalists

The James Beard Foundation today released its list of 2023 Restaurant and Chef Awards semi-finalists. Considered the Oscars of the food world, the awards honor chefs, restaurants, bar and wine programs, beer and spirits makers and others in the national food scene.

Colorado picked up 13 nominations this year for one of the hospitality industry’s most prestigious awards, including categories such as Outstanding Restaurateur, Outstanding Chef, and Best New Restaurant. Five of the 20 nominated mountain region chefs—including Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Utah and Wyoming—are from the state of Centennial. The finalists will be announced in March.

Here’s the list of Colorado semifinalists who have a chance to make it to the final nominees ahead of the annual James Beard Awards gala in Chicago in June:

Outstanding restaurateur

Kelly Whitaker, Id Est Hospitality Group (Basta, The Wolf’s Tailor, BRUTØ), Boulder, CO

Outstanding chef

Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction, CO

Dana Rodriguez, Super Mega Bien, Denver, CO

Aspiring Chef

Bo Porytko, Misfit Snack Bar, Denver, CO