Photo from www.facebook.com/Kimball-House.

The James Beard Foundation released a list of restaurant and chef semifinalists for its 2016 awards on Wednesday, Feb. 17, and Decatur’s Cakes & Ale and Kimball House were on the list.

The James Beard awards recognize culinary professionals. Award winners receive a certificate and a medallion engraved with the James Beard Foundation Awards insignia.

Kimball House was nominated in the category of Outstanding Bar Program. Cakes & Ale chef Billy Allin was nominated in the category of Best Chef: Southeast.

Kevin Gillespie, owner of Revival in Decatur, was also nominated as Best Chef: Southeast for his restaurant Gunshow.

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Other Atlanta restaurants nominated include The General Muir and The Little Tart Bakeshop in the category of Outstanding Baker.

The James Beard Foundation website says the process of determining the semifinalists started in October with an open call. “After receiving about 20,000 submissions, our Restaurant and Chef Awards Committee, composed of critics, writers, and editors, went to work and produced the list of semifinalists, culled from the open call and committee suggestions, for each award,” the website said.

Final nominees will be announced on Tuesday, Mar. 15. The James Beard Awards Gala will be held in Chicago on Monday, May 2.