James Beard picks local semifinalists

Spike Gjerde of Woodberry Kitchen, Bryan Voltaggio of Volt in Frederick, and Cindy Wolf of Charleston, pictured, are among the nominees for Best Chef Mid-Atlantic in the annual James Beard Awards.

Charleston also received nominations in the Outstanding Restaurant and Outstanding Wine Program categories.

There are a few steps to go before the winners are announced on May 7. The lengthy semifinalists' list will be pared down to the finalists on March 19.

It’s an honor for the nominees to get this far. But maybe this will be the year we get a Maryland winner.