Steve Barnes is reporting for the Times Union Hannah Black and Carla Perez-Gallardo, the co-owners and chefs of Lil’ Deb’s Oasis in Hudson, have been nominated as semifinalists for a James Beard Award in the Best Chef: Northeast category. They are the only nominees from the Capital Region. Zak Pelaccio of Fish & Game and BackBar, won Best Chef: Northeast three years ago. The James Beard Foundation Awards were established in 1990 and are often called "The Oscars of Food." Finalists will be announced March 27, and the winners will be honored at a gala in Chicago on May 6. Read the full story in the Times Union.