On April 2, the James Beard Awards will announce the finalists across 25 categories, including Best Chef in California.

Two San Diego chefs are among the semi-finalists this year: Tara Monsod, the executive chef at Animae and Le Coq, and Roberto Alcocer, the executive chef at Valle in Oceanside. Valle, which specializes in contemporary Mexican cuisine, first earned a Michelin star back in 2023.

Alcocer joined Midday Edition to talk about his journey through the culinary world and what it is like running two restaurants on both sides of the border.

And this month, our Midday Movie critics take us to the shadowy world of film noir.

• Roberto Alcocer, executive chef, Valle
• Beth Accomando, arts reporter, KPBS
• Yazdi Pithavala, podcaster, Moviewallas