NEW YORK, Feb 23 — The ‘Oscars' of the US food world has released its list of semifinalists, recognising the best in the American dining scene — a list that includes restaurants like Balthazar in New York City, chefs like David Chang of the Momofuku brand and Eleven Madison Park's Daniel Humm.

The James Beard Foundation Awards announced the nominees who've made the first cut in the annual culinary competition which recognizes outstanding restaurants, chefs, sommeliers and service across the US, in addition to making an establishment an instant, overnight hotspot.

Notable nominees in the Outstanding Restaurant category include Balthazar in New York City, a popular French-style brasserie that serves classic dishes like Steak au Poivre, Brandade de Morue Croquettes (salted cod and potato croquettes) and Duck Confit in a Parisian-style setting. The eatery is also a favorite among the celebrity crowd.

Dan Barber's Blue Hill restaurant in New York is also among the semifinalists for Outstanding Restaurant and is known for building a menu based on local, seasonal ingredients harvested from the biodynamic farm he runs at Stone Barns in upstate New York.

Other Outstanding Restaurant nominees include Tru, in Chicago, Canlis in Seattle, and Patina in Los Angeles.

Momofuku mogul David Chang, who just opened an Australian outlet last year called Momofuku Seiōbo, will be up against Daniel Humm of Eleven Madison Park in New York, and Gary Danko of his eponymously named eatery Restaurant Gary Danko in San Francisco.

Danko, and chefs Suzanne Goin of Lucques in Los Angeles, Blackbird's Paul Kahan of Chicago and Charles Phan from The Slanted Door in San Francisco were all finalists in the same category last year as well.

Meanwhile, Grant Achatz's latest culinary and cocktail projects Next and The Aviary are nominees in the Best New Restaurant and Best New Bar categories respectively.

Finalists will be announced March 19 on their Twitter page @beardfoundation.

Another highly anticipated gastro-competition, The World's 50 Best Restaurants, takes place in April and unlike the James Beard awards ranks restaurants around the world. — AFP-Relaxnews