Get 'em while they're hot: James Beard semifinalists know their food

Gavin Kaysen
Gavin Kaysen is executive chef and owner of Spoon and Stable Restaurant in Minneapolis, semifinalist for the James Beard Award for Best News Restaurant.
Nikki Tundel | MPR News

Oh, they're good.

The Minnesota restaurants and restaurant people who made this year's semifinalist list for the 2015 James Beard awards come from all manner of foods and spirits.

They range from the internationally known to the locally loved.

The James Beard Awards are among the most prestigious in the food world. They recognize the best in food — from restaurants to cookbooks to writing and programming — across North America.

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This year's finalists will be announced at the James Beard House in New York City March 24.

Here are Minnesota's semifinalists, by category:

Best New Restaurant
Spoon and Stable, Minneapolis

Outstanding Baker
Stephen Horton, Rustica Bakery, Minneapolis
John Kraus, Patisserie 46, Minneapolis

Outstanding Restaurant
La Belle Vie, Minneapolis

Outstanding Restaurateur
Kim Bartmann, Minneapolis (Barbette, Bryant-Lake Bowl, Red Stag Supperclub, and others)

Outstanding Service
Restaurant Alma, Minneapolis

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

Best Chef: Midwest
Paul Berglund, The Bachelor Farmer, Minneapolis
Mike Brown, Bob Gerken, and James Winberg, Travail Kitchen and Amusements, Robbinsdale
Jim Christiansen, Heyday, Minneapolis
Doug Flicker, Piccolo, Minneapolis
Michelle Gayer, Salty Tart, Minneapolis
Russell Klein, Meritage, St. Paul
Lenny Russo, Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market, St. Paul

Correction (Feb. 19, 2015): Finalists for the James Beard Award will be announced March 24. An earlier version of this story said winners would be announced on that date.