Five Hawaii chefs and one bar are among semifinalists for James Beard Awards

The James Beard Foundation announced nominees for this year’s prestigious James Beard Awards on Wednesday, and a number of Hawaii chefs made the cut. Mimi Mendoza of Senia in Honolulu is up for the title of Outstanding Pastry Chef. Senia’s co-founders, Chefs Chris Kajioka and Anthony Rush, are also semifinalists in the Best Chef category for the Northwest and Pacific region, which includes Hawaii, Alaska, Oregon and Washington. Keiji Nakazawa of Sushi Sho in Waikiki, as well as Sheldon Simeon…