Cave Creek chef Kevin Binkley, Paradise Valley chef Beau MacMillan, Phoenix chef Vincent Guerithault and Scottsdale restaurateur Sam Fox (pictured) are among the semifinalists for the 2009 James Beard Awards, the “Oscars of Food.”

In addition, Phoenix’s Noca is in the running for Best New Restaurant, and Scottsdale’s Kazimierz World Wine Bar is up for Outstanding Wine Service.

Binkley (Binkley’s Restaurant) and MacMillan (Elements at Sanctuary Camelback Mountain Resort and Spa) are among 20 semifinalists for Best Chef – Southwest. Binkley also was a semifinalist last year.

Guerithault (Vincent on Camelback) is a semifinalist for Outstanding Chef, where his competition includes such notable names as José Andrés, Tom Colicchio and Michael Mina.

Fox, whose Fox Restaurant Concepts include Sauce, Olive & Ivy, True Food Kitchen, Blanco, Greene House and other brands, is again up for Outstanding Restaurateur.

Each category will be cut to five finalists on March 23. Winners will be announced May 4.

See the full list of semifinalists (pdf file).