Here are Philly's James Beard Award 2013 Semifinalists

This morning, the James Beard Foundation dropped its list of semifinalists for the 2013 Restaurant and Chef awards. After a little more editing by the Beard-os, the finalists will be announced on Monday, March 18, 2013 (and livestreamed on Eater National), and then on May 6, the big winners will be announced.

Best New Restaurant: Vernick Food + Drink
Outstanding Bar Program: Franklin Mortgage & Investment Co.
Outstanding Chef: Marc Vetri, Vetri
Outstanding Pastry Chef: Andre Chin and Amanda Eap of Artisan Boulanger Patissier
Outstanding Restaurateur: Stephen Starr
Outstanding Service: Vetri; The Fountain at The Four Seasons
Outstanding Wine, Beer, or Spirits Professional: Tom Peters of Monk's; Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head
Rising Star Chef of the Year: Joe Cicala of Le Virtu; Christopher Kearse of Will

And the local contenders for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic:
Scott Anderson, Elements, Princeton, NJ
Joey Baldino, Zeppoli, Collingswood, NJ
Pierre Calmels, Bibou, Philadelphia
Konstantinos Pitsillides, Kanella, Philadelphia
Sylva Senat, Tashan, Philadelphia
Brad Spence, Amis, Philadelphia
Lee Styer, Fond, Philadelphia
Marcie Turney, Barbuzzo, Philadelphia

This is a seriously deep list. Great work, Philly. For the full list, check out Eater National.