Baltimore restaurants, chefs in running for James Beard awards

Forget the Oscars. Foodies wait every year to find out who will win a James Beard award — the ultimate prize in the culinary world.

And this year, some familiar Baltimore names have cracked the initial list — dubbed the “long list” of semifinalists. The final nominees will be announced March 18 by the James Beard Foundation. The awards will given out in New York City on May 3 and 6.

Some tried-and-true favorites — and a newcomer — earned the first step to becoming a James Beard honoree.

Pabu,…