The James Beard Foundation Awards are the Oscars of the culinary world. This year, two Cleveland-area chefs were named semi-finalists for Best Chef: Great Lakes Region. Jill Vedaa owns Salt, a bistro in Lakewood that specializes in small plates. Karen Small is the woman behind The Flying Fig, a pioneering farm-to-table restaurant that has been in Ohio City for more than 19 years. The chefs talk about being recognized on a national level, Cleveland's evolving culinary scene, and how they have learned from each other in the kitchen.
-Karen Small, owner and chef, The Flying Fig
- Jill Vedaa, owner and chef, Salt