Almost no one was surprised when the James Beard Foundation nominated 18 New Orleans restaurants and chefs for its esteemed Restaurant and Chef Awards last month. That list of 2017 semifinalists featured plenty of old favorites and rising stars, with a whopping 30% of all slots in the Best Chef: South category going to local talent.

Now the foundation has unveiled the list of its finalists, and New Orleans’ unparalleled culinary offerings are well-represented among them. We’ve got the full list of finalists below, but it’s safe to say the Crescent City is dominating the Best Chef: South category (three out of five nominees call New Orleans home).

The James Beard Foundation’s annual Restaurant and Chef Awards recognize excellence in America’s culinary scene. New Orleans’ own Shaya was named Best New Restaurant at last year’s James Beard Awards, while Justin Deviller of La Petite Grocery was named Best Chef: South.

The final list of James Beard Award nominees will be unveiled on Wednesday, March 15, with the ceremony itself taking place at the Lyric Opera of Chicago on Monday, May 1. The complete list of finalists can be found here.

Here’s a look at the finalists from New Orleans:

Arnaud’s French 75 Bar (Outstanding Bar Program)
Cure (Outstanding Bar Program)

Donald Link, Herbsaint (Outstanding Chef)

Kelly Fields, Willa Jean (Outstanding Pastry Chef)

JoAnn Clevenger, Upperline (Outstanding Restaurateur)

Galatoire’s Restaurant (Outstanding Service)

Emeril’s (Outstanding Wine Program)

Zachary Engel, Shaya (Rising Star Chef of the Year)

Nina Compton, Compère Lapin (Best Chef: South)
Slade Rushing, Brennan’s (Best Chef: South)
Rebecca Wilcomb, Herbsaint (Best Chef: South)