Today the semifinalists for the 2010 James Beard Awards were announced. The awards recognize excellence on the part of restaurants and individual chefs, and there were plenty of local picks among the nominees.

Our local semifinalists include:
Outstanding Restaurateur: Ashok Bajaj (701, Ardeo, Bardeo, Bibiana, Bombay Club, Oval Room, Rasika)
Outstanding Chef: José Andrés (for Minibar)
Outstanding Restaurant: Vidalia
Rising Star Chef Of The Year: Johnny Monis (Komi)
Best New Restaurant: Eventide, J&G Steakhouse, Trummer’s On Main
Outstanding Pastry Chef: Amanda Cook (CityZen)
Outstanding Wine Service: Restaurant Eve
Outstanding Wine And Spirits Program: Derek Brown (The Passenger)
Outstanding Service: Marcel’s
Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic: Cathal Armstrong (Restaurant Eve), Tony Conte (The Oval Room), Peter Pastan (Obelisk), Vikram Sunderam (Rasika), Bryan Voltaggio (Volt)

If the nominees look pretty familiar, a number of them were also semifinalists last year. DCist congratulates all the locals on their nominations.

Each category will be narrowed down to five finalists on March 22, with the winners announced at a May 3 ceremony.