2022 STARCHEFS D.C.-CHESAPEAKE RISING STARS

March 15 to March 29

D.C.-Chesapeake, DMV, D.C.-Maryland-Virginia… where do we begin? Over our four weeks traveling up and down the Chesapeake Bay to Washington, D.C., Baltimore, Richmond, and Charlottesville, we met with over 100 hospitality professionals. In summing up exactly what’s going on in the local food and beverage scene, we found it nearly impossible to universalize such wide-ranging cities.

There’s D.C., where a call for action is ingrained in the community— restaurant professionals don’t want their food to just be food, they want it to make a difference. There’s Baltimore, a city that puts their community first. Charlottesville, full of individuals who are hungry to support burgeoning small businesses. And then there’s Richmond, a small city that is right at the tipping point of becoming one of the country’s top hospitality destinations.

No matter the city, it’s evident the restaurant professionals that live and work along the Chesapeake are moving the industry forward. To those we met with, and to our 20 Rising Stars, we can’t wait to see your inevitable and lasting impact.

RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
These 20 professionals are recognized not only for their exception food and drink, but also for their ability to lead, inspire, and support the local D.C.-Chesapeake community. For more information on our Rising Stars selection process, please visit www.starchefs.com/risingstars/about.

  • CHEF

    Bobo Catoe
    Alewife

  • CHEF

    Paolo Dungca
    Pogiboy and Hiraya

  • CHEF

    Demetri Mechelis
    Martha Dear

  • CHEF

    Laine Myers
    Oro

  • CHEF

    Masako Morishita
    Maxwell Park

  • PASTRY CHEF

    Annie Coleman
    Tail Up Goat & Reveler’s Hour

  • BARTENDER

    Presented by Beam Suntory
    Andon Whitehorn
    Alewife

  • SOMMELIER

    Presented by Wines of South Africa
    Andrew Elder
    Bresca & Jônt

  • SOMMELIER

    Presented by Wines of South Africa
    Sarah Horvitz
    formerly of Oyster Oyster

  • GAME CHANGER

    Presented by S.Pellegrino
    Angel Barreto
    Anju

  • CONCEPT

    Sahil Rahmen and Rahul Vinod
    RASA

  • RESTAURATEUR

    Presented by Jade Range
    Brittanny Anderson
    Black Lodge, Brenner Pass, Leni, and Metzger Bar & Butchery

  • COMMUNITY

    Fernando González and Debby Portillo
    2Fifty Texas BBQ

  • COMMUNITY

    Sophia Kim
    Longoven

  • BAKER

    Rachel De Jong
    Cou Cou Rachou

  • CHOCOLATIER

    Ashleigh Pearson
    Petite Soeur

  • BREWER

    Josey Schwartz
    Suspended Brewing Company

  • MENTOR

    Presented by Vitamix Commercial
    Lee Gregory
    Alewife and Southbound

  • BONUS STOP

    Presented by NC SweetPotato Commission
    No Goodbyes at The Line DC

  • STARCHEFS SUPPORTS

    Presented by Resy
    Kevin Tien
    Moon Rabbit

RISING STARS RESTAURANT WEEK
To celebrate the Award winners, StarChefs is excited to host our Rising Stars Restaurant Week from Tuesday, March 15 to Tuesday, March 29. For two weeks only, experience the signature dishes, desserts, pastries, cocktails and beverages that wowed the StarChefs team and won the individual the Award.