2023 STARCHEFS COASTAL NEW ENGLAND RISING STARS AWARDS

In New England, cold, snowed-in nights turn into long, sunny beach days. In our over 100 editorial visits across Rhode Island, Maine, and the Massachusetts Islands, we found a group of industry professionals defying the odds of seasonality, embracing the unique challenges of an economy that burns hotter than the summer sun, and understanding how to keep themselves and their teams stimulated and engaged in the winter months. There is a serious focus on agriculture, aquaculture, as well as innovations in showcasing what is fished and farmed locally. From the Narragansett to the Casco, StarChefs is proud to welcome in our newest class of Rising Stars. 

There is a reason “Vacationland” appears on Maine license plates. In the summer, business booms along the coast, and it can be overwhelming, especially close to the beach. Coping with the volume while maintaining quality is difficult. The winter is harder. Some bars and restaurants opt for month-long sabbaticals, taking the time to pursue other endeavors, while others radically change their menus to inspire their local industry peers in the offseason. With these obstacles, it’s important to recognize that these cities and islands invest in themselves, both materially and in community efforts.

From seasonal crudos to investments in local fisheries, the people of New England understand how fortunate they are to have access to their bays. But it’s not just the fauna of the ocean that has folks here excited: we saw an inordinate number of chefs and bartenders playing with and serving sea vegetables. From ice cream to pasta to gin infusions, hospitality professionals are building relationships with their local farmers and harvesters.

Although this class and magazine cover a wide distance over several distinct hospitality communities, they’re united by the same challenges, rewards, and access. The cities feel like small, tight-knit towns, and the small towns feel the love and support that they need from their communities. The region’s major emphasis on cohesion, creativity, and providing hospitality for one another makes us at StarChefs excited about the momentum on the New England coastline.