2023 StarChefs Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars Awards
StarChefs returns to Austin-San Antonio to celebrate the region’s most talented up-and-coming food and beverage professionals.
The 2023 Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars Awards will be the 84th class of Award winners and the 3rd class from Austin-San Antonio.
The Rising Stars Award winners are designated by the StarChefs editorial team based on in-person tastings and interviews. In each market, the editorial team tastes and interviews with more than 100 chefs, pastry chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and artisans, ultimately selecting a group of 18 to 25 professionals who best represent the future of American dining. Although Rising Stars Awards are given out locally, award winners are evaluated according to a set of national standards. Creativity, ambition, presentation, philosophy, and, most important, delicious food, drinks, and/or pairings win the designation of a StarChefs Rising Star.
For more information, visit the 2023 Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars Awards event page.
2023 Austin-San Antonio RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
CHEFS
Kareem El-Ghayesh of KG BBQ | Austin
Geoff Ellis of Mum Foods Smokehouse and Delicatessen | Austin
Emil Oliva of Leche de Tigre Cebicheria Peruana | San Antonio
Rich Reimbolt of Better Half Coffee & Cocktails | Austin
Keith Rzepecki of Hestia | Austin
Amanda Turner of Olamaie | Austin
GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
Arjav Ezekiel and Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel of Birdie’s | Austin
RESTAURATEURS
Presented by Jade Range
Nicola Blaque of The Jerk Shack and Mi Roti | San Antonio
Andrew Ho and Sean Wen of Curry Boys BBQ, Pinch Boil House, and Wurst Behavior | San Antonio
COMMUNITY
Presented by Resy
Dustin Baker of Roadmap Brewing Co. | San Antonio
Edgar Rico of Nixta Taqueria | Austin
CONCEPT
Brian Batch and Ryan McElroy of Bird Bird Biscuit | Austin
PASTRY CHEF
Presented by TCHO Chocolate
Derrick Flynn of Este and Suerte | Austin
Casandra Perez-Martinez of Comedor | Austin
ARTISANS
Ben and Phoebe Hollander of Casper Fermentables | Austin
BREWER
Will Jaquiss of Meanwhile Brewing Co. | Austin
BARTENDER
Presented by Beam Suntory
Erin Ashford of Holiday | Austin
SOMMELIERS
Alex Wheatley Bell of Aviary Wine & Kitchen | Austin
Rania Zayyat of Bufalina | Austin
MENTOR
Presented by Vitamix Commercial
Fiore Tedesco of Bambino and L’Oca D’Oro | Austin
Austin-San Antonio RISING STARS PARTNERS
Symrise, Steelite International, Vitamix Commercial, S.Pellegrino, Niman Ranch, Jade Range, TCHO Chocolate, DemKota Ranch Beef, Singer M.Tucker, Beam Suntory, Resy, Vulcan, Trentadue Winery, Giant Noise, The LINE Austin, Urban Roots
