Two Milwaukee chefs are semi-finalists in the James Beard Awards -— the culinary equivalent to the Oscars.

Dominic Zumpano, top chef at Umami Moto, 718 N. Milwaukee St., is up for "Best Chef: Midwest." Sanford D'Amato, chef-owner of Sanford Restaurant, 1547 N. Jackson St., already won that award in 1996, and now his restaurant is among 20 semi-finalists nationwide vying for "Outstanding Restaurant" and "Outstanding Service."

"It really shows the amount of care and professionalism we have as a team," D'Amato said. "It's about the quality of the people we have working with us."

"The restaurant award is the most highly regarded, because it encompasses everything, from food to service to atmosphere," D'Amato added.

Zumpano said being in the same category as the other chefs in the region is "surreal."

Zumpano has come far in the cooking world. In fact, he got started by accident, and hasn't looked back since.

"A friend of mine thought I would make a good waiter. I fell in love with the food," he said. "I had to work my way up, from a dishwasher to a chef."

Zumpano, who at 30 is considered one of the brightest young chefs in the business, graduated from the Scottsdale Culinary Institute at the top of his class. He's worked with Iron Chef Winner Beau Macmillan and has cooked for Will Smith and Jamie Foxx.

"It's like the difference between a football player who plays for cash and one who plays with passion. T.O. plays for cash, Brett Favre plays for passion. Dominic is like Brett Favre," said David Laitano, general manager of Umami Moto.

Zumpano said he enjoys being able to exercise his creativity.

"I've been in the business for 20 years, and Dominic is the most down to earth, humble chef," Laitano added. "He's a true chef, what anyone would want in a partner."

D'Amato has been around a little while longer.

Graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 1974, he opened the Sanford Restaurant in the site of his father and grandfather's grocery store. He's appeared on various television shows and was personally chosen by Julia Child to cook for her 80th birthday celebration.

"It's about the moment someone is eating here," he said. "We try to make them feel completely comfortable."

Founded after culinary pioneer James Beard's death in 1985 by Peter Kump, the James Beard Foundation is a not-for-profit organization founded "to celebrate, preserve, and nurture America's culinary heritage and diversity in order to elevate the appreciation of our culinary excellence."

Zumpano was a former chef at the James Beard House. Other notable chefs at the house have included Emeril Lagasse and Jacques Pepin.

D'Amato is not completely confident in winning the award, but he is confident in the service his restaurant provides.

"You will be taken care of," D'Amato said. "It's a certain comfort zone. With some fancy restaurants you get an intimidation factor, but here it's like someone coming into our house. It's a combination of food, service and ambiance that sets us apart."