2024 STARCHEFS LOS ANGELES RISING STARS AWARDS
With over 650 miles of freeway in Los Angeles County alone, the open road can take you practically anywhere (without leaving the city limits). Chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, and makers are transporting guests somewhere new while still utilizing the city’s illustrious farmers markets. But despite the endlessness and openness of L.A.’s food scene, closures, rising rents, as well as SAG and WGA strikes against the AMPTP have struck a heavy blow to the city’s hospitality community over the past year. Rising to the occasion, the people we met on the ground showed us that they had resilience, passion, and innovation to spare.
All across the city, industry professionals are bringing high-quality, deeply personal projects to life. Chefs, in particular, have found new routes to reach their goals and fulfill their dreams, without having to take the I-405. Meanwhile, beverage professionals have reclaimed the spotlight in L.A., and rightfully so. After a mass exodus of bartenders and sommeliers during COVID, a new generation has reshaped the city’s wine and cocktail programs.
Hospitality professionals in Los Angeles are passionate, personable, and distinctive, and they have found a way to communicate those exceptional qualities through their dishes, cocktails, and concepts. Maybe it’s because L.A. is a city full of storytellers, but it isn’t just about what is on the plate or in the glass. It’s about using California’s legendary ingredients to weave a more intimate narrative and to share those stories with guests and peers. And although economic forces continue to cause challenges for the industry, there is an emerging generation of chefs, bartenders, artisans, and restaurateurs who are ready to steer Los Angeles towards an even more original, hospitable, and flavorful future.
RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
These 24 professionals are recognized not only for their exceptional food and drinks, but also for their ability to lead, inspire, and support their local Los Angeles communities. For more information on our Rising Stars selection process, please visit the Rising Stars Awards Program page.
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CHEF
Francisco Aguilar
Simón -
CHEF
Nico de Leon
Lasita -
CHEFS
Nestor Silva & Elizabeth Heitner
Malli -
CHEF
Rashida Holmes
Bridgetown Roti -
CHEF
Jihee Kim
Perilla L.A. -
CHEF
Matt Schaler
Birdie G’s -
CHEF
Alisa Vannah
Mr. T -
GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
Diego Argoti
Poltergeist -
PASTRY CHEF
Presented by TCHO Chocolate
Mac Daniel Dimla
Providence -
COMMUNITY
Presented by Resy
Emily Bielagus & Mara Herbkersman
The Ruby Fruit -
RESTAURATEURS
Michael Francesconi & Matthew Glaser
Park Hospitality -
CONCEPT
Shanita Nicholas & Amanda-Jane Thomas
Sip & Sonder -
BARTENDER
Gianna Johns
Baby Gee -
BARTENDER
Ramsey Musk
Accomplice Bar and Little Fatty -
BARTENDER
Max Reis
Mírate -
SOMMELIER
Rachael Davis
Dunsmoor -
SOMMELIER
Ian Krupp
Anajak Thai -
BAKER
Jennifer Yee
Bakers Bench -
BREWERS
Benny Farber & Chelsey Rosetter
Benny Boy Brewing -
MENTOR
Presented by Vitamix Commercial
Vivian Ku
Joy and Pine & Crane
ART OF PRESENTATION CONTEST
In partnership with Steelite International, the Art of Presentation contest highlights the artistry behind plating and gives one of the Rising Stars Award winners the opportunity to win $5,000 towards Steelite products of their choice. Check out the Rising Stars’ dishes here and vote for your favorite plating presentation. Voting ends Monday, May 6th at 10AM EST.
RISING STARS RESTAURANT WEEK
To celebrate the Award winners, StarChefs will host the Rising Stars Restaurant Week from Wednesday, May 8 to Wednesday, May 22. For two weeks only, experience the signature dishes, desserts, pastries, drinks, and pairings that wowed the StarChefs editorial team. With $100 restaurant gift cards up for grabs, you won’t want to miss it! Order any of the featured dishes or drinks and share an Instagram story or post to enter. You must tag @StarChefs to be considered.
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ACCOMPLICE BAR
Winsted, 1996: Gin, Empirical Symphony 6, Bitter Blueberry Cordial, Mezcal, Sherry, Fermented Honey, Fig Leaf Bitters
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ANAJAK THAI
Laab Tots: Northeastern Pork Meatballs and Jaew paired with Riesling, Weingut Keller, Limestone Riesling Kabinett, Rheinhessen, Germany, 2022
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BABY GEE
Tiki Noir: Cascara-Infused Rum, Grapefruit, Black Sesame, Amaro Sfumato, Lime, Cassis
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BAKERS BENCH
TCHO Chocolate Chip Cookies
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BENNY BOY BREWING
Pippin Pommeau, 19% ABV
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BRIDGETOWN ROTI
Visit Bridgetown Roti at Little Fish on Thursday, May 16 from 6pm to 9pm to try Rashida's signature Curry Channa Doubles
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BIRDIE G'S
Potato-Cheddar-Lamb Pierogies, Brown Butter, Sauerkraut Beurre Blanc, Dill
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BUB & GRANDMA'S
Sesame Loaf, Caramelized Onions, Humboldt Fog Goat Cheese
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DONNA'S
Veal Picatta, Lemon, Veal Jus, Parsley, Capers
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DUNSMOOR
Albacore Tuna, Young Ginger, Root Relish, Crispy Shallot paired with Furmint, Michael Wenzel, Aus dem Quarz, Burgenland, Austria, 2022
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LASITA
Roast Chicken Inasal, Garlic Mojo, Clover Sonoma Butter, Toyomansi, Chicken Fat Rice, Atchara Pickles
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MALLI
Visit Dudley Market on Monday, May 20 to try Malli’s Smoked and Pickled Beets, Persimmon, Radicchio, Pink Mole, Puffed Rice
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MR. T
Braised Beef, Pink Laddy Apple Kimchi, Strawberry Gochujang, Grilled Broccolini, Pickled Radish
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MÍRATE
Tu Compa: Cascahuín 48 Tequila Blanco, Grapefruit Cordial, Pulque, Nami Junmai Sake, Granada-Vallet
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POLTERGEIST
Thai Caesar Salad: Frisée, Thai Basil, House Vinaigrette, Lemongrass Caesar Dressing, Parmesan, Rice Paper Crouton
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SIMÓN
Mahi Mahi Al Pastor Taco, Guacamole, Crispy Onion, Grilled Pineapple, Cilantro, Blue Corn Tortilla
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SIP & SONDER
The Onyx: 108 Espresso, Charcoal, Vanilla, Oat Milk
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THE RUBY FRUIT
Impossible Cheeseburger Taquitos: Impossible Ground Beef, Special Sauce, Shredded Lettuce, Cheddar Cheese, Red Onion
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PERILLA L.A.
Cod Dosirak: Doenjang-Marinated Cod, Potato Salad, Collard Green Kimchi, Rice
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PROVIDENCE
Blueberry Compote, Lime Sorbet, Lemon Verbena Espuma, Gin Gel, Poached Lemon Peel, Lemon Verbena Powder, Garden Flower Meringue (seasonal variation pictured here)
STARCHEFS SUPPORTS
StarChefs is excited to partner with Singer Equipment Company and Chef Zachary Jarrett of Bub & Grandma’s to support Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) during Los Angeles Rising Stars Restaurant Week. For every Cypress Grove special sold at Bub & Grandma’s during the Rising Stars Restaurant Week, StarChefs will donate $5 to C-CAP.
Long co-chaired by chef Marcus Samuelsson, Careers through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) is a workforce development nonprofit that provides underserved teens a pathway to success. Annually, C-CAP provides culinary, job, and life skills to over 22,000 middle-and-high school students across the entire state of Arizona, as well as in Baltimore, Camden, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York City & Long Island, Newark, Philadelphia, suburban Maryland, and Washington, DC. For more information about C-CAP, visit ccapinc.org and follow @ccapinc on Facebook and Instagram.
