By Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host Published Mar 18, 2013 at 11:31 AM

Just moments ago, the James Beard Foundation announced the final nominees for its 2013 awards from the Lowndes Grove Plantation in Charleston, SC.  And Milwaukee has at least one reason to be proud.

Sanford’s Justin Aprahamian, who was nominated for the third straight year, has made it to the next round for Best Chef Midwest.

The other finalists in the category are Gerard Craft of Niche in Clayton, MO, Colby Garrelts of Bluestem in Kansas City, Mo., Michelle Gayer of Salty Tart in Minneapolis, and Jack Riebel of Butcher & the Boar in Minneapolis.

Final James Beard Award winners will be announced at the annual gala on May 6 at Lincoln Center’s Avery Fisher Hall in New York City.

Lori Fredrich Senior Food Writer, Dining Editor, Podcast Host

Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with each and every dish. She’s had the privilege of chronicling these tales via numerous media, including OnMilwaukee and in her book “Milwaukee Food.” Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. 

When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or recording the FoodCrush podcast, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.