Many locals receiving big praise.

In terms of restaurants, the James Beard Award is the Oscar of the culinary world. The Washingtonian reported the semi-finalists were named this week, and including many familiar DC names. The finalists will be named in May in New York City.
Amongst the mix, we find some hometown favorites such as:

Outstanding Restaurateur
Ashok Bajaj (*Bombay Club, the Oval Room and Rasika)

Outstanding Chef
*José Andrés (Minibar)

Outstanding Restaurant
Kinkead's
Vidalia

Best New Restaurant
*Cork
Volt

Rising Star Chef of the Year
Johnny Monis (Komi)

Outstanding Wine and Spirits Professional
*Todd Thrasher (Restaurant Eve)

Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic
*Cathal Armstrong (Restaurant Eve)
*Anthony Chittum (Vermilion)
*Haidar Karoum (Proof)
Peter Pastan (Obelisk)
Tom Power (Corduroy)
Vikram Sunderam (Rasika)

* designates my personal faves...duh.

also, some advice for Dupont Circle's Obelisk: get a website!