2018 STARCHEFS D.C-CHESAPEAKE RISING STARS AWARDS
December 11 | Dock 5 at Union Market
The Mile High City is standing taller and taller by the minute. That really comes as no surprise—you’ve got the mountains right in your backyard, 300 days of sunshine, and more dispensaries than there are Starbucks. Over the course of our three, week-long trips, we met with more than 100 restaurant professionals across the Denver Metro Area. Some were longtime Coloradans and some recently moved to the Centennial State; either way, they have no intention of leaving.
Denver is made for work-life balance. Most restaurants close before 9PM, giving chefs the opportunity to get to bed early and wake up for a morning hike on the Flatirons. Some of the best food is found within food halls or at food trucks parked outside of breweries, allowing emerging entrepreneurs to workshop their concepts at a low cost. Hospitality pros in Denver are eager to tell their stories, launching businesses that are so uniquely personal to them.
The class of 2022 Denver Rising Stars mirrors the upward momentum of the Mile High City. Maybe it’s the altitude. Maybe it’s the fresh air. Maybe it’s the creative talent of our 18 Rising Stars. Whatever it is, we dig that Denver lifestyle.
RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
These 22 professionals are recognized not only for their exceptional food and drinks, but also for their ability to lead, inspire, and support the local community. For more information on our Rising Stars selection process, please visit the Rising Stars Awards Program page.
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CHEF
Drew Adams
Bourbon Steak -
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CHEF
Hari Cameron
a(MUSE.) -
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CHEF
Tom Cunanan
Bad Saint -
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CHEF
Brad Deboy
Elle -
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CHEF
Jerome Grant
Sweet Home Cafe -
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CHEF
Kevin Tien
Himitisu -
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CHEF
Kwame Onwuachi
Kith/Kin -
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CHEF
Carlos Raba
Clavel -
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HOTEL CHEF
Opie Crooks
A Rake’s Progress -
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COMMUNITY
Steve Chu
Ekiben -
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PASTRY CHEF
Charbel Abrache
Seylou Bakery -
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PASTRY CHEF
Megan Fitzroy Phelan
Longoven -
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BAKER
Jonathan Bethony
Seylou -
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ROASTER
Evan Howe
Small Planes Coffee -
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BREWER
Matt Tarpey
The Veil Brewing Co. -
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SOMMELIER
Felicia Colbert
A Rake’s Progress -
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SOMMELIER
Darlin Kulla
Succotash -
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BARTENDER
Brandon Peck
The Jasper -
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CONCEPT
Daniela Moreira, Andrew Dana, and Chris Brady
Call Your Mother -
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RESTAURATEUR
Erik Bruner-Yang
Foreign National
RISING STARS TASTING GALA
We're returning to Washington D.C. in partnership with Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (CCAP) to celebrate the city's most talented up-and-coming food and beverage professionals. At our 63rd Rising Stars Tasting Gala, eat and drink your way through the Chesapeake’s top restaurants and bars, in one location, for one night only.
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BOURBON STEAK
Lone Mountain wagyu, truffle, barley-miso broth
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CALL YOUR MOTHER
Everything bagel, house cream cheese, smoked salmon
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SEYLOU
Assortment of breads with heirloom grains
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FOREIGN NATIONAL
Fermented durian curry, spaghetti squash, chiles, red shiso, cilantro
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A(MUSE.)
Chicken and South Delaware slippery dumplings
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EKIBEN
Fried chicken bao and mushroom bao
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A RAKE'S PROGRESS
Duck confit fried rice
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BAD SAINT
DLabanos at Pinaitum: radishes, burnt coconut crema, citrus-pistachio dirt, honey, micro greens
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ELLE
Grilled kimchi toast, labneh, XO sauce
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SWEET HOME CAFE
Barbecue Meyer brisket platter and fixins'
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SUCCOTASH
Chuck N' Cheese: Meyer beef-pork-mushroom blended burger
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KITH/KIN
Goat shoulder, habanero, curry, potatoes, lime, roti
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CLAVEL
Shrimp aguachile verde, cucumber, red onion
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SEYLOU
Assorted pastry featuring millet canelé
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LONGOVEN
Olive oil shortbread, olive oil gelato, winter citrus
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SMALL PLANES
Selection of artisan coffees
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THE JASPER
Blind Tiger: Jägermeister, banana liqueur, lime, grapefruit, bitters
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THE VEIL BREWING CO.
Never Gonnagetit³ triple raspberry gose ale
