Here Are the Local James Beard Award Nominees for 2016

A handful of local names made the James Beard awards semifinalist list, which was released last month. Today, the James Beard Foundation narrowed down the field, announcing the nominees for this year's awards. Winners will be announced at an event in Chicago on May 2.

Here are the Massachusetts contenders for 2016 James Beard awards; see Eater.com for the full list:

• Karen Akunowicz, Myers + Chang (Best Chef: Northeast nominee) (last year too)
• Susan Regis, Shepard (Best Chef: Northeast nominee)
• Maura Kilpatrick, Oleana (Outstanding Pastry Chef nominee) (last year too)
• Joanne Chang, Flour (Outstanding Baker nominee) (last year too)

A couple of local books are also in the running for awards this year:

• The Beetlebung Farm Cookbook by Chris Fischer
• American Wine: A Coming-of-Age Story by Tom Acitelli (who is the editor of Eater Boston's sister site, Curbed Boston)