PHOTO BY LAURA PETRILLA

Today, The James Beard Foundation Awards announced the names of the semifinalists for its 2020 Restaurant and Chef Awards. Pittsburgh earned three spots in two categories. The finalists will be announced at a gala in Philadelphia on Wednesday, March 25. The winners will be announced in Chicago on Monday, May 4. Pittsburgh Magazine will keep you updated throughout the awards season.

Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic: 
Christian Frangiadis, Spork
Wei Zhu, Chengdu Gourmet

Outstanding Pastry Chef: 
Neil Blazin, Driftwood Oven
(For those wondering whether pizza now moonlights as pastry, Blazin was placed in the pastry chef category and not the baker category because he operates out of a restaurant rather than a retail bakery.)

This is the first nomination for Fragiadias and Blazin, and the third for Zhu. Here is a complete list of the semifinalists.