Fourteen food or drink specialists in Colorado have been named as semifinalists for the prestigious James Beard Awards, the foundation announced Wednesday. A shortlist of nominees will be released on April 2, followed by a ceremony in June to declare the winners. The James Beard Foundation, a culinary arts nonprofit based in New York City, is now in its 35th year governing the awards.  This year, it introduced three new categories in bar, beverage and cocktail service — and Colorado garnered three names on those lists. Related Articles Restaurants, Food and Drink | Johnson’s Corner, famous for its cinnamon rolls, closing doors as it prepares for next chapter Restaurants, Food and Drink | Soup dumpling restaurant closing after 25 years on South Federal Restaurants, Food and Drink | GetRight’s bakery will put a new spin on pizza Restaurants, Food and Drink | Peter’s Chinese Cafe owner sells Denver restaurant to employees Restaurants, Food and Drink | Cheap eats and the return of late-night dining: What’s trending at Denver restaurants in 2025 The list of Colorado semifinalists is below, along with their respective categories: Josh Niernberg, Bin 707 Foodbar, Grand Junction (Outstanding Chef) Frasca Food and Wine, Boulder (Outstanding Restaurant) Anna Nguyen and Ni Nguyen, Sắp Sửa, Denver (Emerging Chef) Alma Fonda Fina, Denver (Best New Restaurant) Carolyn Nugent and Alen Ramos, Poulette Bakeshop, Parker (Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker) Hop Alley, Denver (Outstanding Wine and Other Beverages Program) Traveling Mercies, Aurora (Best New Bar) McLain Hedges and Mary Allison Wright, Yacht Club, Denver (Outstanding Professional in Cocktail Service) Hosea Rosenberg, Blackbelly, Boulder (Best Chef) Bo Porytko, Molotov Kitschen + Cocktails, Denver (Best Chef) Paul C. Reilly, Coperta, Denver (Best Chef) Kenneth Wan, MAKFam, Denver (Best Chef) Penelope Wong, Yuan Wonton, Denver (Best Chef) Erasmo Casiano and Diego Coconati, Lucina Eatery & Bar, Denver (Best Chef) Subscribe to our new food newsletter, Stuffed, to get Denver food and drink news sent straight to your inbox.