San Francisco has no less than 7 chefs duking it out in the James Beard Foundation semi-finalist category for ‘Best Chef in the West’.

Matthew Accarrino (SPQR), Nicolaus Balla (Bar Tartine), Chris Cosentino (Incanto), Dominique Crenn (Atelier Crenn), Mourad Lahlou (Aziza), Corey Lee (Benu), Daniel Patterson (Coi) were named semifinalists today in a category stacked with culinary talent.

Other Chefs in Northern California reaching the semis include Michael Chiarello (Bottega) and Christopher Kostow (The Restaurant at Meadowood).

But that’s not all.

When it comes to best new restaurants, San Francisco also represents. Rich Table, and State Bird Provisions will battle top-runners from Atlanta, Santa Monica, Chicago, and NYC among other great culinary destinations for a spot in the finals.

In the prestigious “Best Chef” category, Gary Danko (Restaurant Gary Danko) and Michael Tusk (Quince) were short-listed. And David Kinch (Manresa) located South in Los Gatos also received a nod.

Organizers have announced that the 2013 James Beard foundation Award nominees will be revealed on March 18.

For video highlights of some of the James Beard-nominated Chefs in action, keep on scrollin’.

WATCH: Chef David Kinch Talks Truffles

WATCH: Michael Tusk in the Kitchen (3:15)

WATCH: Chef Michael Chiarello of Bottega talks it up on location (1:40)

WATCH: Dominque Crenn Battles Chefs Cosentino & Faulkner

Loni Stark is an artist at Atelier Stark, self-professed foodie, and adventure travel seeker who has a lifelong passion for technology’s impact on business and creativity. She collaborates with Clinton Stark on video projects for Atelier Stark Films. It’s been said her laugh can be heard from San Jose all the way up to the Golden Gate Bridge. She makes no claims to super powers, although sushi is definitely her Kryptonite.