MilkWood's Ashworth, Proof's McCabe Named Eater Young Guns Semi-Finalists

MilkWood executive chef Kevin Ashworth and Proof on Main's chef de cuisine Andrew McCabe are Eater Young Gun Semi-Finalists for 2013. The two Louisvillians are among 50 chefs from all over to the country selected from thousands of nominees.

Starting this week, Eater will present profiles of many of the 50, including recommendations from the selection committee, video profiles and much more. And in late June, our Young Guns Class of 2013 will be unveiled.

Congrats Kevin and Andrew!

On March 15, the call for public nominations for the 2013 search ended. Since then, a crack team of Eater HQ analysts took the list of 3,000 names submitted by readers, Eater editors, and Young Guns Committee members and culled it down.

The process involved eliminating duplicates (although it was noted how many times each person was nominated) and removing names of the already lauded and well-known industry folk. Also removed from consideration: under-qualified nominees, candidates who didn't meet the age requirements (under 30 or in the industry less than five years) and those who are not currently working in the restaurant industry in the United States.

After a great deal of whittling, that list included a solid 650 names. Then trusted committee members and Eater editors decamped to Eater's underground bunker (which is located below a Bob Evans) to pour over that list and emerged with a group of the 50 semifinalists

Have a testimonial about one of Ashworth, McCabe or any of the other nominees? Share your stories with youngguns@eater.com.

[Photos: Ashworth courtesy Facebook, McCabe courtesy Lori Mattingly]