Three Boston Names Sizzlin' Hot as James Beard Award Finalists

Photo: Twitter/James Beard Foundation

The James Beard Foundation announced its list of top 2015 contenders for the organization’s prestigious award on Monday.

Three Boston names are in the running this year. The winners will be announced at the 2015 James Beard Awards gala in Chicago on Monday, May 4.

Scroll down to see the list of local names. Be sure to visit the restaurants of the cook-stars and then let Patch know what you think of their work by leaving a comment below.

Outstanding Baker

• Joanne Chang, Flour Bakery + Cafe, Boston

Best Chef: Northeast

• Karen Akunowicz, Myers + Chang, Boston

Book Awards: American Cooking

• Boston chef Jeremy Sewall and Erin Byers Murray for their book, “The New England Kitchen: Fresh Takes on Seasonal Recipes”

Flour Bakery + Cafe has four locations: the Fort Point, South End, Central Square and Back Bay neighborhoods.

Myers + Chang is located on 1145 Washington St. in the South End. The business, according to its website, is the “very personal interpretation of Chinese, Taiwanese, Thai and Vietnamese specialties” by Akunowicz as well as Joanne Chang, who is also an owner and chef at the location.

Click here for the full 2015 Restaurant and Chef finalists list.