The James Beard Foundation announced the nominees for its national restaurant and chef awards on Wednesday, narrowing down the list of semifinalists announced in February.

Seven D.C. chefs and restaurants are among the frontrunners for 2022, down from 13 semifinalists. Often called the “Oscars of American restaurants,” the James Beard Awards are returning this year for the first time since 2019, after taking a two-year break to make its selection process more equitable. (2020’s winning list featured no Black chefs in any category.)

The list of finalists includes some recognizable local names — like chef and humanitarian José Andrés, whose craft cocktail spot barmini advanced in the Outstanding Bar Program category — but is absent some of the newcomers that made the semifinals. Those cut names include Matt Hill, whose breakfast concept Ruthie’s All-Day earned him a semifinalist slot for Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic.

Winners will be announced on June 13.

Outstanding Restaurateur: 

• Ashok Bajaj, Knightsbridge Restaurant Group (Rasika, Bindaas, Annabelle, and others)

Outstanding Chef: 

• Peter Chang

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic: 

• Angel Barreto, Anju
• Amy Brandwein, Centrolina

Emerging Chef: 

• Angel Barreto, Anju

Best New Restaurant: 

• Oyster, Oyster

Outstanding Wine Program: 

• Maydan

Outstanding Bar Program: 

• barmini by José Andrés