Why it matters: Our restaurant scene is expanding fast, with inventive chef-driven concepts, high-end international cuisine and new ventures from the teams behind legacy institutions — and it's deserving of national acclaim.
Catch up quick: A dozen Arizona chefs, mixologists and restaurants were among the James Beard Award semifinalists announced in January.
So, you tell us: Which chefs or eateries should have been awarded?
Take our survey and we may feature your thoughts in a future edition.