The James Beard Foundation has announced the semi-finalists for its 2012 James Beard awards. Maine chefs and restaurants in the running are, by category:
Best New Restaurant:
• Petite Jacqueline, Portland
Outstanding Chef:
• Melissa Kelly, Primo, Rockland
Outstanding Restaurant:
• Fore Street, Portland
Best Chef Northeast:
• Penelle, Megan, and Phoebe Chase and Ted LaFage, Chase’s Daily, Belfast
• Brian Hill, Francine Bistro, Camden
• Krista Kern Desjarlais, Bresca, Portland
• Demos Regas, Emilitsa, Portland
• Danai Sriprasert and Nattasak Wongsaichua, Boda, Portland
