6 Houston chefs are named semifinalists for James Beard award

Several Houston establishments also up for awards

Six chefs are semifinalists for the James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest.

HOUSTON – A half dozen Houston chefs have been named semifinalists for the coveted James Beard Award for Best Chef Southwest.

Manabu Horiuchi of Kata Robata, Anita Jaisinghani of Pondicheri, Hugo Ortega of Hugo's, Seth Siegel-Gardner and Terrence Gallivan of The Pass and Jianyun Ye of Mala Sichuan Bistro are all on the list of semifinalists, released Wednesday by the James Beard Foundation.

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Another Houston chef is in the James Beard spotlight. William Wright of Helen Greek Food and Wine was named a semifinalist for Rising Star Chef of the Year.

Houston got some recognition in other categories, as well. Anvil Bar & Refuge is a semifinalist for Outstanding Bar Program. Tracy Vaught and the H-Town Restaurant Group made the semifinalist list for Outstanding Restaurateur. Hugo's is a semifinalist for Outstanding Service.

The finalists in all divisions and categories will be announced March 15.

The awards will be presented May 1.