Five Hawaii chefs were named semifinalists Wednesday for the James Beard Foundation Awards.

>> Maui chef Sheldon Simeon’s new restaurant, Lineage, for best new restaurant.

>> Honolulu’s Ed Kenney — chef and owner of Town, Mahina &Sun’s, Mud Hen Water and Kaimuki Superette — as best restaurateur.

>> Michelle Karr-Ueoka of MW Restaurant as best pastry chef.

These three are national awards. Also semifinalists are chefs Chris Kajioka and Anthony Rush of Senia as best chefs in the Western region.

It has been more than a decade since anyone from Hawaii has moved on from the semifinalist list to the finalists. George Mavrothalassitis of Chef Mavro was the last to claim an actual prize, a regional best chef award in 2003.

The final list of nominees will be announced March 27, with the awards gala on May 6.