Samie Solina got the very hard assignment of visiting as many of the finalists as possible, and trying out some of the cuisine. Shigeyuki Furukawa is behind Minneapolis' Omakase experience, where ...

"It is the human side of hospitality, and I think it’s the part people so often forget," Koffeteria owner Vanarin Kuch said.

Diane Moua has been nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef several times at other businesses, but now she's running her own restaurant.