AUGUSTA - Five finalists have been selected for the newly re-launched "2008 Maine Lobster Chef of the Year" cook-off to be held at the Blaine House July 22.

The five finalists each will prepare and present their dishes before a panel of judges.

The Maine Lobster Promotion Council (MLPC) and Maine Food & Lifestyle magazine, co-sponsors of the 2008 cook-off event, recently announced this year's finalists:

•Lawrence Klang, Chef de Cuisine at Natalie's Camden Harbour Inn in Camden;

•Pete Murphy, Executive Chef at Boothbay Harbor's Historic Russell House Restaurant and Tavern;

•Zeph Belanger, of Camden's Hartstone Inn;

•Margaret McLellan, Corporate Chef of Native Maine Produce and Shucks Lobster in Richmond;

•Joshua Clark, Chef de Cuisine at Camden's Atlantica Restaurant.