At 17, Crystal Platt realized that if she wanted to become a comedian, she would probably have to work at a restaurant to make ends meet.

The restaurant owner started her on the path to being a professional chef.

"She put me on the floor as a server and I was horrible, and she said, 'I think you'd be better in the kitchen, and she was right.'"

The rest is history.

Platt got her training from the culinary program at Lane County Community College and graduated in 2008.

After years of experience in other Eugene restaurants like Marche, she and her wife opened Lion & Owl in January 2019, hoping to fill the gap in the market for "Instagrammable" brunch spots in Eugene.

Their menu changes frequently, driven by its local farm-to-table approach.

On Wednesday, Platt found out she was a semifinalist for the James Beard Foundation Award for best chef in the Pacific Northwest.

The foundation is a nonprofit that celebrates and supports American food culture.

"And I was like oh my God - I started crying, my wife started crying, we were hugging."

Platt says she doesn't know who nominated her, but that she's grateful for the recognition.

"I know my wife - anytime anyone is really excited about the food, she tells them how they can let the world know. There were some good submissions, we actually had some regulars share with us what their submissions were. They were very sweet and flattering and very humbling."

The next step will be when an anonymous James Beard Food critic dines at the restaurant, which could potentially advance her into the final round.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a dream to receive a James Beard Award. I'm just kind of flabbergasted that we got on the list and that we're here. I'm super excited and I'm so proud of our team."

Finalists will be announced on March 29 and winners will be announced on June 5.