The James Beard Foundation has announced nominees for its prestigious annual awards today (see the full list of nominees here). Southern Living is proud to be nominated for our Collection of Best Southern Recipes, 2011: “Nuts About Pecans,” “The Ultimate Southern Thanksgiving Cookbook,” and “12 Ways to Show Your Holiday Hospitality.”

Among notable Southerners on the list is Donald Link of New Orleans’ Herbsaint. Link is one of only six chefs in the nation to be nominated for the prestigious “Outstanding Chef.”

This category honors “a working chef in America whose career has set national industry standards and who has served as an inspiration to other food professionals.”

(Link is pictured in this photo [middle] as part of Southern Living’s Tastiest Towns in the South feature in the April issue.)

We salute all of the nominees and their contributions to food and culture. The journalism and book award winners will be announced May 4, and the chef and restaurant winners will be announced May 7.

Photo: Robbie Caponetto

Here’s to these Best Chef nominees in their regions:

Mid-Atlantic (Defined by the James Beard Foundation as D.C., DE, MD, NJ, PA, and VA)

Four out of five of the chefs nominated from the Mid-Atlantaic region are from the Metro-DC area: Cathal Armstrong of Restaurant Eve in Alexandria, VA; Johnny Monis of Komi; Peter Pastan of Obelisk; and Vikram Sunderam of Rasika.

South (Defined by The James Beard Foundation as AL, AR, FL, LA, and MS)

Four out of the five nominees for “Best Chef: South” hail from New Orleans–a major nod to the Crescent City. They are Justin Devillier of La Petite Grocery, John Harris of Lilette, Tory McPhail of Commander’s Palace, and Alon Shaya of Domenica.

Also nominated is Birmingham’s Hot and Hot Fish Club chef Chris Hastings.

Southeast (Defined by The James Beard Founation as GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, and WV)

Hugh Acheson of Five and Ten in Athens, GA

Craig Deihl of Cypress in Charleston

Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene in Atlanta

Edward Lee of 610 Magnolia in Louisville, KY

Joseph Lenn of The Barn at Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN

Southwest (AZ, CO, NM, NV, OK, TK, UT)

Bruce Auden of Biga on the Banks in San Antonio

Bruno Davaillon of Mansion Restaurant at the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek

Hugo Ortega of Hugo’s in Houston

Paul Qui of Uchiko in Austin

And congratulations to these Southern nominees and culinary tastemakers: 

Washington, D.C.’s Fiola is a Best New Restaurant nominee

Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head Craft Brewery in Milton, DE is recognized as an Oustanding Beer Professional

Emeril’s New Orleans and The Barn at Blackberry Farm in Walland, TN (also nominated for Southeast Best Chef) boast nominations for Outstanding Wine Program.

Hedy Goldsmith, nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef, is from Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink in Miami.

Sue Zemanick of New Orleans’ Gautreau’s is nominated for Rising Star Chef of the Year.

Highlands Bar and Grill in Birmingham is nominated for Best Restaurant.

–By Kelsey Snell

Related Links:

Southern Living: Experience Luxury at Blackberry Farms

Southern Living: Learn How To Cook Chicken Dumplings With Chris Hastings

Southern Living: Hugh Acheson, Nice To Meet You