Behold Portland's 2016 James Beard Award Semifinalists

The long list of semifinalists for the 2016 James Beard Restaurant and Chef Awards was announced today, and of the Portland restaurants and chefs that made the list, you'll find quite a few fresh names along with the familiar. This year, Coquine is a semifinalist in the Best New Restaurant category, and also notably, Doug Adams of Imperial and Ryan Fox and Ali Matteis of Nomad.PDX are semifinalists for Rising Star of the Year.

All of the semifinalists for 2016 Best Chef Northwest were also semifinalists last year, with the key exception of Jose Chesa (Ataula, 180), and Gabriel Rucker (Le Pigeon, Little Bird) is the sole Portland chef semifinalist for 2016 Outstanding Chef.

Best Chef Northwest:

Greg Denton and Gabrielle Quiñónez Denton, Ox,

Jose Chesa, Ataula, Portland, OR

Trent Pierce, Roe

Sarah Pliner, Aviary

Ryan Roadhouse, Nodoguro

Justin Woodward, Castagna

Also semifinalists for Best Chef Northwest located in Oregon:

Allen Routt, Painted Lady, Newberg, OR

Joe Kim, 5 Fusion and Sushi Bar, Bend, OR

Best New Restaurant:

Coquine, Portland, OR

Rising Star of the Year:

Doug Adams, Imperial

Ryan Fox and Ali Matteis, Nomad

Outstanding Chef:

Gabriel Rucker, Le Pigeon

Outstanding Pastry Chef:

Kristen Murray, Måurice

Outstanding Baker:

Kim Boyce, Bakeshop

Outstanding Bar Program:

Clyde Common

Outstanding Restaurateur:

Nate Tilden (Clyde Common, Olympia Provisions, Spirit of 77, The Richmond)

Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional:

Steve McCarthy, Clear Creek Distillery

Outstanding Wine Program:

Jory Restaurant at the Allison Inn & Spa, Newberg, OR