WILMINGTON, N.C. -- Several North Carolina chefs and restaurants are semi-finalists for the James Beard Award.

• Dean Neff is a nominee in the category for "Best Chef: Southeast".
• Chef Neff is one of 20 semifinalist in the category, and eight from our state.
• Raleigh's Ashley Christensen is also a semifinalist for the National James Beard Award.

The awards honor the best of the best in the culinary world.

Dean Neff (PinPoint), Katie Button (Cúrate), Gregory Collier (Loft & Cellar), Steven Devereaux Greene (Herons), Oscar Diaz (The Cortez), Meherwan Irani (Chai Pani), Joe Kindred (Kindred), and Cheetie Kumar (Garland) are nominated in the category for "Best Chef: Southeast."

Raleigh's Ashley Christensen is also a semifinalist for the National James Beard Award for "Outstanding Chef".

The Stanley in Charlotte was nominated for "Best New Restaurant."

Ashley Capps, from Asheville, was nominated for "Outstanding Pastry Chef."

For a full list of the semifinalists, click here.