The James Beard Foundation today announced a long list of semifinalists for the 2011 James Beard Awards in 19 restaurant and chef categories. This represents the first cut before the final five nominees get the nod March 21 -- when the foundation will also announce nominations for restaurant design and graphics, books, journalism, broadcast media and special achievement. Winners will be feted May 9 at the annual awards ceremony and gala reception at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall in NYC.

Among the nation's Outstanding Chef semifinalists: Holly Smith of Cafe Juanita (which is also up for Outstanding Restaurant) and Jerry Traunfeld of Poppy. [Seattle Times photos by Tom Reese (Smith) and Mike Siegel (Traunfeld)].

Congrats to Holly (times two!), Jerry and our other home-team semifinalists, a list that includes:

Outstanding Restaurateur: Tom Douglas (Tom Douglas Restaurants)
Outstanding Chef: Holly Smith (Cafe Juanita), Jerry Traunfeld (Poppy)
Outstanding Restaurant: Cafe Juanita
Outstanding Service: Canlis
Outstanding Wine Service: Canlis (wine director Nelson Daquip)
Rising Star Chef of the Year: Blaine Wetzel (The Willows Inn)
Best New Restaurant: Staple & Fancy Mercantile

Best Chef Northwest:
Chris Ainsworth, Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen (Walla Walla)
Seif Chirchi and Rachel Yang (Joule)
Matt Dillon, Sitka & Spruce
Mark Fuller, Spring Hill
Ethan Stowell, Staple & Fancy Mercantile
Jason Stratton, Spinasse

[UPDATE: 2/23/11] In addition to those restaurant award nominees, Snohomish winemaker Alex Golitzin of Quilceda Creek is a semifinalist for Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional.