James Beard Awards 2019: See Chicago nominees for best restaurants, chefs

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Considered the Oscars of the food world, Chicago is once again host to the James Beard Awards.

The 2019 nominees were announced Wednesday morning for the best restaurants and chefs in America, and Chicago has a handful of names in the mix.

Belinda Chang, a James Beard Award-winning Sommelier, discussed this year's local nominees with ABC7's Steve Dolinsky.

2019 JAMES BEARD AWARD NOMINEES IN CHICAGO:

Best chef, Great Lakes Region:

Diana Dávila, Mi Tocaya Antojería

Jason Hammel, Lula Café

Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark, Parachute

David Posey and Anna Posey, Elske

Noah Sandoval, Oriole

Lee Wolen, Boka

Rising star chef of the year:

Alisha Elenz, MFK

Outstanding restaurateur:

Rob Katz and Kevin Boehm, Boka Restaurant Group, Chicago (Boka, Girl & the Goat, Momotaro, and others)

Outstanding baker:

Greg Wade, Publican Quality Bread

Outstanding pastry chef:

Meg Galus, Boka

Best Podcast

"The Feed," by ABC7's own Steve Dolinsky and Chef Rick Bayless

Outstanding bar program:

Lost Lake

Outstanding wine program:

Spiaggia

Oustanding restaurant design, 76 seats and over:

Land and Sea Dept., for Lonesome Rose

Parts and Labor Design, for Pacific Standard Time

Winners will be announced at the James Beard Awards Gala on Monday, May 6 at Chicago's Lyric Opera House.

For the complete list of nominees and more information, visit jamesbeard.org/awards.