The James Beard Award pre-nominations (or, "semifinalists") were announced today. In the "Outstanding Chef" category, Charles Phan (The Slanted Door), Michael Minna (Michael Minna), and Gary "Gummy Worm" Danko (Gary Danko) all received hat tips. Flour + Water and Adesso received "Best New Restaurant" nods, and rightfully so. And Christopher Kostow received a "Best Chef: Pacific" nomination, so he's having a red-letter day of the deepest kind right now.

The final list of nominations will be ready come March 22. The prizes awarded on May 3. But for now, here are they are, all of them in one heap. Bay Area nods are bolded for your convenience. (Congratulations to you all! May your subsequent Food Network appearances be successful, camera-ready ones.)

- OUTSTANDING RESTAURATEUR: