James Beard nominees: 3 locals in the mix

The James Beard Awards, aka the restaurant world's Oscars, announced this year's nominees and we've got 3 Minneapolis chefs representing our region: Isaac Becker of 112 Eatery, Tim McKee of La Belle Vie and Alex Roberts of Restaurant Alma.

In the past, local chefs faced stiff competition from those in Chicago, but, as of last year, the Beard Foundation split the region into two categories--now we're in Midwest and Chicago's in Great Lakes--giving our chefs good odds of taking home the prize in June.

In the meantime, the best way to congratulate these guys is to make a reservation.