2 Baltimore Restaurants Are James Beard Semifinalists

BALTIMORE, MD — Baltimore has two semifinalists up for the 2020 James Beard Awards. Known as the "Oscars of the culinary world," the awards recognize people and establishments that promote culinary excellence.

Both Baltimore semifinalists for 2020 were also semifinalists in 2019.

This year Clavel Mezcaleria is again a contender in the "Outstanding Bar Program" category, while Chef Cindy Wolf is up for "Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic."

Related: Baltimore Has Two James Beard Award Semifinalists For 2019

Clavel Mezcaleria, a taqueria in Remington, is among 20 recognized for providing "exceptional care and skill in the selection, preparation, and serving of cocktails, spirits and/or beer," according to the James Beard Foundation.

Outstanding Bar Program

• Anvil Bar & Refuge, Houston
• The Atomic Lounge, Birmingham, AL
• The Baldwin Bar, Woburn, MA
• Bar Leather Apron, Honolulu
• Clavel Mezcaleria, Baltimore
• Colita, Minneapolis
• Existing Conditions, NYC
• Expatriate, Portland, OR
• Horse Inn, Lancaster, PA
• Kimball House, Decatur, GA
• La Factoría, San Juan, PR
• Las Almas Rotas, Dallas
• Leyenda, Brooklyn, NY
• Little Rituals, Phoenix
• Lost Lake, Chicago
• OTOTO, Los Angeles
• Novare Res Bier Café, Portland, ME
• Sugar House, Detroit
• Trick Dog, San Francisco
• Williams & Graham, Denver

Wolf is up for best chef in the Mid-Atlantic, a category in which she has been a finalist multiple times.

There are 12 regions for the "Best Chef" category, and best chef semifinalists "set high culinary standards and also demonstrate integrity and admirable leadership skills in their respective regions," according to the James Beard Foundation. To qualify, chefs must have been in the field as a chef for at least five years, including three regionally.

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic (D.C., DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA)

• Victor Albisu, Poca Madre, Washington, D.C.
• Joey Baldino, Zeppoli, Collingswood, NJ
• Sunny Baweja, Lehja, Richmond, VA
• Amy Brandwein, Centrolina, Washington, D.C.
• Peter and Lisa Chang, Mama Chang, Fairfax, VA
• Zenebech Dessu, Zenebech Restaurant, Washington, D.C.
• Nicholas Elmi, Laurel, Philadelphia
• Christian Frangiadis, Spork, Pittsburgh
• Melissa Hamilton and Christopher Hirsheimer, Canal House Station, Milford, NJ
• Matthew Kern, Heirloom, Lewes, DE
• Rich Landau, Vedge, Philadelphia
• Danny Lee, Anju, Washington, D.C.
• Cristina Martinez, South Philly Barbacoa, Philadelphia
• Taylor Mason, Luca, Lancaster, PA
• Cagla Onal-Urel, Green Almond Pantry, Washington, D.C.
• Peter Prime, Cane, Washington, D.C.
• Dan Richer, Razza, Jersey City, NJ
• Jon Sybert, Tail Up Goat, Washington, D.C.
• Cindy Wolf, Charleston, Baltimore
• Wei Zhu, Chengdu Gourmet, Pittsburgh

See the full list of James Beard semifinalists for 2020.

The James Beard Awards were established in 1990 to recognize culinary professionals for excellence and achievement in their fields.

There are 20 semifinalists in each of the categories, from best baker to outstanding wine program.

Finalists will be announced March 25.