Butcher & the Boar gets James Beard nomination

Butcher and the Boar
Butcher & the Boar chef Jack Riebel, center, visits with guests Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at his restaurant in downtown Minneapolis. Butcher & the Boar was named a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best New Restaurant, and Riebel was nominated as Best Chef in the Midwest.
MPR Photo/Jennifer Simonson

A new Minneapolis restaurant, Butcher & the Boar, has been named a semifinalist in the the James Beard Awards as Best New Restaurant in the country.

A record 17 Minnesota restaurants and chefs have been named semifinalists for the awards, the pre-eminent competition that recognizes the culinary arts. That total is one better than last year's previous record of 16 semifinalists.

Butcher & the Boar in Minneapolis is named in the Best New Restaurant category, and its chef Jack Riebel is nominated in the Best Chef, Midwest category.

Tim McKee of La Belle Vie in Minneapolis is one of the semifinalists for Outstanding Chef nationwide, as well as Best Chef in the Midwest.

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Lucia's Restaurant in Minneapolis is nominated in the Outstanding Restaurant category.

Here is the complete list of Minnesota nominees:

Best New Restaurant:
Butcher & the Boar, Minneapolis

Outstanding Bar Program:
Marvel Bar, Minneapolis

Outstanding Chef:
Tim McKee, La Belle Vie, Minneapolis

Outstanding Pastry Chef:
Steve Horton, Rustica Bakery, Minneapolis

Outstanding Restaurant:
Lucia's Restaurant, Minneapolis

Outstanding Restaurateur:
Kim Bartmann (Barbette, Bryant-Lake Bowl, Red Stag Supper Club), Minneapolis

Outstanding Service:
Sapor Cafe and Bar, Minneapolis

Outstanding Wine, Spirits or Beer Professional:
Eric Seed, Haus Alpenz, Edina

Rising Star Chef of the Year:
Jamie Malone, Sea Change, Minneapolis

Best Chef, Midwest:
Steven Brown, Tilia, Minneapolis
Doug Flicker, Piccolo, Minneapolis
Michelle Gayer, Salty Tart, Minneapolis
Tim McKee, La Belle Vie, Minneapolis
Jack Riebel, Butcher & the Boar, Minneapolis
Lenny Russo, Heartland Restaurant and Farm Direct Market, St. Paul
Sameh Wadi, Saffron Restaurant and Lounge, Minneapolis
•James Winberg, Mike Brown and Bob Gerken, Travail Kitchen and Amusements, Robbinsdale

You can see the entire list of semifinalists here.

The award nominees will be named on March 18, and the winners will be announced in early May.