Houston -- and Texas -- Well-Represented Going into 2013 James Beard Award Finals

The finalists for this year's James Beard Foundation Awards were announced in several categories today that spanned the breadth of the food world from culinary writing to cooking. And just as Houston was well-represented in the semifinalist round, we also secured some big-name finalists in advance of the awards in New York City this May.

Chefs Chris Shepherd of Underbelly and Hugo Ortega of Hugo's were both announced as finalists in the Best Chef: Southwest category. Bryce Gilmore of Barley Swine in Austin also received a nomination in the same category.

Triniti received a nomination in the Outstanding Restaurant Design category (76 seats and over) for its beautiful dining room and overall design.

And in the journalism category, the Houston Chronicle's Alison Cook was nominated for a Craig Claiborne Distinguished Restaurant Review award while Alice Laussade at our sister paper in Dallas -- the Dallas Observer -- was nominated in the humor category.

The Book, Broadcast, New Media and Journalism Awards will be announced at a ceremony on May 3. The Restaurant and Chef Awards will be announced at a separate ceremony on May 6, hosted by Stanley Tucci.

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