Steve Phelps named Best Chef semifinalist in James Beard: South

The 2014 James Beard Foundation South semifinalists were announced the morning of Feb. 19 in Orlando — the only Sarasotan to make the cut is Steve Phelps of Indigenous.

The James Beard Foundation recognizes excellence in the culinary industry. Steve Phelps was selected out of 40,000 submissions.

The nominees for finals will be announced March 19 in Chicago, and the final selection will be announced May 5 in New York.

Former Sarasotans to claim the same designation were Peter Arpke of Beach Bistro in 2013, Jose Martinez of Maison Blanche in 2010, and Derek Barnes of relocated Derek’s Culinary Casual in 2009.

Here’s the full list of semifinalists for Best Chef: South:

Greg Baker, The Refinery, Tampa, FL
Vishwesh Bhatt, Snackbar, Oxford, MS
Justin Devillier, La Petite Grocery, New Orleans
Derek Emerson, Walker's Drive-In, Jackson, MS
José Enrique, José Enrique, San Juan, PR
Justin Girouard, The French Press, Lafayette, LA
Chad Johnson, SideBern’s, Tampa, FL
Matthew McClure, The Hive, Bentonville, AR
Rob McDaniel, SpringHouse, Alexander City, AL
Jose Mendin, Pubbelly, Miami Beach, FL
James and Julie Petrakis, The Ravenous Pig, Winter Park, FL
Steve Phelps, Indigenous, Sarasota, FL
Ryan Prewitt, Pêche Seafood Grill, New Orleans
Hari Pulapaka, Cress, DeLand, FL
Horacio Rivadero, The District Miami
Henry Salgado, Spanish River Grill, New Smyrna Beach, FL
Alon Shaya, Domenica, New Orleans
Michael Stoltzfus, Coquette, New Orleans
Isaac Toups, Toups’ Meatery, New Orleans
Sue Zemanick, Gautreau's, New Orleans