RALEIGH -- Renowned Raleigh chef Ashley Christensen has been nominated for the James Beard Award for the country's Outstanding Chef.

She is one of just five chefs nationally to receive the nomination. 

Christensen is a chef and restaurateur at Poole's Diner in the City of Oaks. She opened the restaurant in 2007, along with Beasley's Chicken and Honey in 2011 and Death and Taxes in 2015.

This isn't Christensen's first time being recognized by the James Beard Foundation. She won the award for Best Chef in the Southeast in 2014.

The James Beard Award, according to their website, honors the late James Beard who "was a champion of American cuisine." The foundation's mission is to "celebrate, nurture, and honor chefs and other leaders making America's food culture more delicious, diverse, and sustainable for everyone."

Other categories of the awards include baking and desserts, health and special diets, photography and writing.

The awards will take place on May 7 at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. 

Click here to view more nominees.