The James Beard Foundation’s annual culinary awards haven’t always been generous when it comes to recognizing the talented chefs and elite hospitality programs in Las Vegas, but this year is telling a different story. Downtown Arts District hot spot Garagiste Wine Room & Merchant has been named a semifinalist for the Outstanding Bar award, a category rarely cracked by Vegas venues, and five local chefs reached semifinal status in the Best Chef, Southwest regional category: Oscar Amador and Francesco Di Caudo at Anima by Edo; Kaoru Azeuchi at Kaiseki Yuzu; Yip Cheung at the Cosmopolitan’s Red Plate; and Jimmy Li at Shanghai Taste. The full list of restaurant and chef semifinalists can be found at jamesbeard.org/awards. Finalists in each category will be announced March 29, and winners will be celebrated at the annual ceremony June 5 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago.
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