2018 StarChefs Chicago Rising Stars Awards
StarChefs returns to Chicago to celebrate the city’s most talented up-and-coming food and beverage professionals.
The 2018 Chicago Rising Stars Awards will be the 62nd class of Award winners and the 5th class from Chicago.
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 2018 Chicago Rising Stars Awards event page.
2022 Chicago RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
CHEFS
Brian Ahern of Boeufhaus
Pete Coenen of Cherry Circle Room
Jimmy Papadopoulos of Bellemore
Ryan Pfeiffer of Blackbird
Julie Warpinski of Big Star
GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
Noah Sandoval of Oriole
RESTAURATEUR
Michael Ciapciak of Bang Bang Pie & Biscuits
COMMUNITY
Jonathan Zaragoza of Birrieria Zaragoza
CONCEPT
Donna Lee of Brown Bag Seafood Co.
PASTRY CHEFS
Leigh Omilinsky of Nico Osteria
Amanda Shepard of Lula Cafe
Emily Spurlin of Bad Hunter
BARTENDERS
Kevin Beary of Three Dots and a Dash
Kristina Magro of Prairie School
SOMMELIERS
Andrew Algren of Cherry Circle Room
Leslie Lamont of The Publican
BAKER
Alexander Roman of Somerset
BREWER
Brian Taylor of Whiner Beer
BUTCHER
Antonio Fiasche of Tempesta Market
MENTOR
Presented by Vitamix Commercial
Grant Achatz of Alinea
GUEST HOSTS
Bartender Liz Pearce of Aba
Chef Ashlee Aubin of Salero
Chef AJ Walker of Publican Anker
Chef Joe Flamm of Spiaggia
Chef Cedric Harden of River Roast
Chefs John Hogan of River Roast
Chef Daniel Kelly of Lincoln Park Zoo
Chef Rodolfo Mariano of Lincoln Park Zoo
Chef Josh Peterson of Motor Bar and Restaurant
Chef Nick Santangelo of Jake’s Corner Tap
Chicago RISING STARS PARTNERS
Grey Goose, Foods and Wines from Spain, Symrise, Steelite International, Compass Group, The Mushroom Council, Hestan, S.Pellegrino, Vitamix Commercial, KitchenAid Commercial, Kikkoman, Singer M.Tucker, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte, Costieres di Nimes, Meyer Natural Beef, Fresh Origins, Breville Polyscience, Lone Mountain Wagyu, RATIONAL, Pomi, Green Sapling, Rona, Sterling Caviar, Minor’s, Chateau D’Esclans, Verlasso, Shun Knives, Lincoln Park Zoo, Levy Restaurants, Shout PR, Pilot Light