Two Richmonders nominated for James Beard Media Awards

State of play: The "Oscars" of the food world aren't just for restaurants — the people who cover them can get awards, too.

• And on Wednesday, the prestigious James Beard Foundation announced that two locals were among its nominees for the best in food writing in books, broadcast media and journalism.

The local nominees include: Richmond-based food writer Deb Freeman's docuseries, "Finding Edna Lewis" for best food-related documentary.

• And Justin Lo, the Richmond Times-Dispatch restaurant critic and RVA Magazine contributor, for the Local Voice Award, which recognizes coverage in a specific region.

Zoom in: Freeman was the host and executive producer of the Edna Lewis series, which was also the first major documentary about the Virginia native and "Grande Dame" of Southern food, which aired on VPM.

Lo was specifically nominated for:

• "Dinner Party Politics," a piece about where state legislators dine (and why) when they're in Richmond for session.
• "Queer in Present Danger," about which Richmond bars and spaces feel safe for the local LGBTQ community in the Trump era.
• "The Lost Cause Boys' Club, which focuses on how the private social club, the Commonwealth Club, helped preserve and normalize Lost Cause ideology after the Civil War.

What they're saying: "As a writer, I want people to really see Richmond and all the things that make it interesting and complex, its beautiful soul and its bruised edges," Lo said in a statement to Axios.

• "Hopefully, in some small but significant way, I've represented our city well."

Fun fact: Former Richmond Magazine food editor (and Richmonder) Stephanie Breijo was also nominated in that category for her work at the Los Angeles Times.

What's next: The winners will be announced at ceremony in Chicago on June 13.