2025 StarChefs New York City Rising Stars Awards
StarChefs is back in New York to celebrate the city’s most talented up-and-coming food and beverage professionals.
The 2025 New York City Rising Stars Awards will be the 90th class of Award winners and the 15th class from New York.
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 2025 New York City Rising Stars Awards event page.
2025 NEW YORK RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
CHEFS
Fariyal Abdullahi of Hav & Mar
Zhan Chen of Phoenix Palace and Potluck Club
Yara Herrera of Hellbender
Neel Kajale of Dhamaka
Daniel Lee formerly of Okonomi Market
Vitor Mendes of Theodora
Tajeh Porter of Nura
GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
Fidel Caballero of Corima
RESTAURATEURS
Steve Choi and David Yun of C as in Charlie and Kisa
COMMUNITY
Presented by Resy
Jacob Siwak of Forsythia
CONCEPT
Presented by Chef Works
Milka and Romeo Regalli of Ras Plant Based
PASTRY CHEFS
Presented by TCHO Chocolate
Emily Hall formerly of James Kent Hospitality
Camari Mick of Elizabeth Street Hospitality
BAKERS
Kelly Mencin of Radio Bakery
Danielle Spencer of Win Son Bakery
BARTENDERS
Presented by Campari Academy
Kitty Bernardo of Paradise Lost
Kat Foster of Borgo
Harrison Snow of Lullaby and Mo's General
SOMMELIERS
Kristin Ma of Cecily
Nikita Malhotra of Smithereens
MENTOR
Presented by Vitamix Commercial
Chintan Pandya of Unapologetic Foods
nEW YORK CITY RISING STARS PARTNERS
Symrise, Vitamix Commercial, Steelite International, S.Pellegrino, Corto Olive Co., Resy, TCHO Chocolate, Niman Ranch, Campari Academy, American Lamb Board, Shun Cutlery, Chef Works, Nespresso, Vulcan, Nielsen-Massey, Seafood Scotland, Lone Mountain Wagyu, Brooklyn Winery, Culinary Careers Progam (C-CAP)
