Cakes & Ale Chef Billy Allin. Photo by Zack Arias, provided to Decaturish.

The James Beard Foundation has announced the semifinalists for its annual restaurant and chef awards, a list that includes several Metro Atlanta restaurants.

The James Beard Foundation exists to “to celebrate, nurture, and honor America’s diverse culinary heritage through programs that educate and inspire.”

Semifinalists for Best Chef include Billy Allin at Cakes & Ale in Decatur, and Kevin Gillespie at Gunshow in Atlanta.

Gillespie is also planning to open a restaurant in Decatur called Revival.

Another semifinalist of note is Decatur’s Kimball House. Kimball House is up for the Outstanding Bar Program Award.

To see the full list of semifinalists, click here.