A record 17 restaurants and chefs in Minnesota have earned a spot on the list of semi-finalists for the James Beard Foundation Awards, Minnesota Public Radio reports. That's one more nod that last year's record.

Butcher & the Boar, a new Minneapolis eatery, is one of the semifinalists for Best New Restaurant in the country, while Lucia's Restaurant in Minneapolis is nominated in the Outstanding Restaurant category.

Tim McKee of La Belle Vie in Minneapolis is in the running for Outstanding Chef in the nation, while Steve Horton of Rustica in Minneapolis is named in the Outstanding Pastry Chef category.

The Star Tribune notes ten Twin Cities chefs from eight restaurants are recognized in the Best Chef, Midwest category. They include:

Mike Brown, Bob Gerken and James Winberg of Travail Kitchen and Amusements in Robbinsdale.

Steven Brown of Tilia in Minneapolis

Mike DeCamp of La Belle Vie in Minneapolis

Doug Flicker of Piccolo in Minneapolis

Michelle Gayer of the Salty Tart in Minneapolis

Jack Riebel of Butcher & the Boar in Minneapolis

Lenny Russo of Heartland Restaurant & Farm Direct Market in St. Paul

Sameh Wadi of Saffron Restaurant & Lounge in Minneapolis

Click here, for the complete list of semifinalists.

The finalists will be named on March 18 and the winners will be announced on May 6.