12 Houston restaurants and chefs named 2018 James Beard Awards semifinalists

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Houston is well represented in this year's batch of semifinalists for the prestigious James Beard Awards.

The nominations for the so-called Oscars of food were announced this morning, and there are 12 Houston area restaurants and chefs on their list.

Five of those nominations are for Best Chef Southwest, a category won by Houston's Hugo Ortega in 2017.

The winners will be announced at the 2018 James Beard Awards on May 7 in Chicago.

Click here for a full list of the 2018 James Beard Award Semifinalists

2018 Houston James Beard Awards Semifinalists

• Xochi, Best New Restaurant
• Anvil Bar & Refuge, Outstanding Bar Program
• Jillian Bartolome, Aqui, Outstanding Pastry Chef
• Tracy Vaught, H Town Restaurant Group (Hugo's, Caracol, Xochi, and others), Outstanding Restaurateur
• Hugo's, Outstanding Service
• Pappas Bros. Steakhouse, Outstanding Wine Program
• Martha De Leon, Pax Americana, Rising Star Chef of the Year
• Ross Coleman and James Haywood, Kitchen 713, Best Chef: Southwest
• Anita Jaisinghani, Pondicheri, Best Chef: Southwest
• Ronnie Killen, Killen's Steakhouse, Best Chef: Southwest
• Trong Nguyen, Crawfish & Noodles, Best Chef: Southwest
• Ryan Pera, Coltivare, Best Chef: Southwest

Houston chef Hugo Ortega honored with James Beard Award

Renowned Houston chef Hugo Ortega has been honored with a prestigious James Beard Award.

LET'S EAT: Recipes from Hugo's

Chilaquiles

Chilaquiles: Traditional Mexican Dish

Creamy Flan de Maiz

Let's Eat: Flan from Hugo's

Garnachas de calabacitas

Garnachas de Calabacitas