Finalists of the 2008 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards

This week the finalists for the James Beard Foundation Awards were announced. The James Beard Awards are the most prestigious honors in America for the restaurant industry. Past winners include a who's who of the country's culinary scene. The some 9,600 entries were narrowed down to 5 finalists in each category by a panel of 400 judges. These same judges will vote for the winner in each category to be announced Sunday, June 8, 2008 at the Awards Ceremony and Gala Reception at Lincoln Center. Want tickets to the Award Show? Go here.

Check out the Finalists of the 2008 James Beard Foundation Restaurant and Chef Awards.