Omnivore - Gravy Train: Local chefs nominated for James Beard Awards

• James Camp
• Chef Linton Hopkins of Restaurant Eugene is among those being recognized by the James Beard Foundation

Semifinalists for this year’s James Beard Foundation Awards were announced this week. Atlanta area restaurants and chefs getting nods are: Kevin Gillespie of Woodfire Grill, Linton Hopkins and Aaron Russell of Restaurant Eugene, Hector Santiago of Pura Vida, Mike Klank and Eddie Hernandez of Taqueria del Sol, Billy Allin and Cynthia Wong of Cakes & Ale, and Hugh Acheson and Steven Grubbs of Five and Ten in Athens. The semifinalists will be reviewed and narrowed down to a shortlist of finalists, to be announced on March 21.

White Oak Pastures, a popular Georgia-based provider of grass-fed beef, recently broke ground on a new USDA inspected poultry abattoir, which will be the only poultry plant that processes free range poultry in Georgia, Florida or Alabama. The Bluffton farm will begin selling chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese after August 2011.