The James Beard Foundation just announced the 2010 list of restaurant and chef awards semifinalists. The lucky honorees include chefs who have influenced the Vegas fine-dining scene and high-quality local establishments such as Shawn McClain's Sage at Aria. Here's how Vegas figures in to this years awards:

Outstanding Restaurateur nominee:

Richard Melman, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises (Chicago)

            Vegas relation: Richard owns the Eiffel Tower restaurant in Paris Las Vegas

Outstanding Chef nominees:

Tom Colicchio, Craft (NYC)

            Vegas relation: There's also a Craft location in the MGM Grand

Michael Mina, Michael Mina (San Francisco)

Vegas relation: Michael also has restaurants at the Bellagio, Aria, and MGM Grand

Julian Serrano, Picasso at Bellagio (Las Vegas)

            Double Vegas relation: Julian also has a self-named restaurant in Aria

Outstanding Restaurant nominees:

Babbo by Mario Batali (NYC)

            Vegas relation: Mario also has restaurants in The Venetian and Palazzo

Bouchon by Thomas Keller (Yountville, CA)

            Vegas relation: Thomas also has another Bouchon in The Venetian

Daniel by Daniel Boulud (NYC)

            Vegas relation: There is also a Daniel Boulud Brasserie in the Wynn

Rising Star Chef of the Year nominees:

Vanessa Garcia for Restaurant Charlie at the Palazzo (Las Vegas)

Timothy Hollingsworth for The French Laundry (Yountville, CA)

            Vegas relation: Also owned by Thomas Keller of Bouchon

Best New Restaurant nominee:

Shawn McClain's Sage in Aria at MGM CityCenter (Las Vegas)

Outstanding Pasty Chef nominee:

Kamel Guechida for Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand (Las Vegas)

Outstanding Wine Service nominees:

Emeril's New Orleans, Emeril Lagasse (New Orleans)

Vegas relation: Emeril has three restaurants in Vegas in The Venetian, Palazzo, and MGM Grand

Jean Georges, Jean-Georges Vongerichten (NYC)

            Vegas relation: The recently opened Jean-Georges steakhouse at Aria

Picasso at Bellagio, Julian Serrano (Las Vegas)

Outstanding Service nominees:

Emeril's New Orleans (New Orleans)

            Vegas relation: See Outstanding Wine Service

Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand (Las Vegas)

Nobhill Tavern at MGM Grand (Las Vegas)

Best Chef Southwest nominees:

Saipin Chutima, Lotus of Siam (Las Vegas)

Claude Le Tohic, Joel Robuchon at MGM Grand (Las Vegas)

Rick Moonen, RM Seafood at Mandalay Bay (Las Vegas)