2019 STARCHEFS PHILADELPHIA RISING STARS AWARDS
TUESDAY, APRIL 16 | THE CURTIS ATRIUM
If you’re a young chef, pastry chef, or baker, there’s room to grow in Philadelphia. Without investors (gasp!), you can find spaces and rents low enough to get loans (or bootstrap it) and dive in. Just don’t count on a liquor license. Historically expensive in Philly, the price of a license has risen to $170,000-ish. BYO culture is alive and well.
Philadelphia also finally reflects and embraces its own diversity. We ate Malaysian kebabs, crispy bao, Filipino blood sausage, barbacoa, pastrami bing, and Tokyo-style sushi. And we cannot overstate the impact of Michael Solomonov’s Zahav in opening the door for Middle Eastern and Israeli cuisine.
As a general rule in town, save room for carbohydrates. Philadelphia has one of the most vibrant bread scenes in the country, an abiding devotion to doughnuts, its own bagel style, and perhaps the best babka in the country. And you can’t truly know Philly until you’ve eaten a salty, warm soft pretzel, ideally on a stoop or while sitting in a folding chair.
Philadelphia’s brightest culinary talent is constantly pushing for change, upending formats, and establishing foundations strong enough to support the continued evolution.
RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
These 20 professionals are recognized not only for their exceptional food and drinks, but also for their ability to lead, inspire, and support the local Philadelphia community. For more information on our Rising Stars selection process, please visit the Rising Stars Awards Program page.
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CHEF
Tyler Akin
Stock Restaurants -
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CHEF
Matt Harper
Kensington Quarters -
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CHEF
Jesse Ito
Royal Sushi & Izakaya -
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CHEF
Michael Vincent Ferreri
Res Ipsa Cafe -
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CHEF
Alexander Yoon
Little Fish -
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GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
Chad Williams
Friday Saturday Sunday -
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COMMUNITY
Presented by Compass Group
Matt Cahn
Middle Child -
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CONCEPT
Presented by Kikkoman USA
Nicole Marquis
HipCityVeg -
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RESTAURATEURS
Presented by Singer M.Tucker
Nick Kennedy & Greg Root
Defined Hospitality -
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SUSTAINABILITY
Judy Ni & Andy Tessier
bao-logy -
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PASTRY CHEF
Presented by KitchenAid Commercial
Camille Cogswell
Zahav -
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PASTRY CHEF
Presented by KitchenAid Commercial
Tova du Plessis
Essen Bakery -
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PASTRY CHEF
Presented by KitchenAid Commercial
Samantha Kincaid
Cadence -
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BAKER
Presented by Butter of Europe
Alex Bois
Lost Bread Co. -
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ROASTER
Evan Inatome
Elixr Coffee -
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BARTENDER
Paul MacDonald
Friday Saturday Sunday -
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SOMMELIER
Presented by Wines from Spain
Alexandra Cherniavsky
The Love -
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SOMMELIER
Presented by Wines from Spain
Samantha Germani
Lacroix
RISING STARS TASTING GALA
We're returning to Philadelphia in partnership with Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) to celebrate the city's most talented up-and-coming food and beverage professionals. At our 65th Rising Stars Tasting Gala, eat and drink your way through Seattle's top restaurants and bars, in one location, for one night only.
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CONSTELLATION CULINARY
Hamachi Crudo, Hearts of Palm, Sorrel, Caviar, Yuzu, Lemongrass
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BAOLOGY
King Oyster Mushroom Gwa Bao, Hoisin, Pickled Mustard Greens, Crispy Garlic
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CADENCE
Kakigōri, Apple, Brown Rice Grits, Vinegar, Sake Lees, Hazelnuts
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ELIXIR COFFEE
Guatemala Finca El Injerto and Kopi Sanger
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ESSEN BAKERY
Chocolate Babka
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FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
Ovaltine Milk Punch: Bols Genever, Ovaltine, Lemon, Red Wine, Raw Sugar
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FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY
Brussels Sprouts, Smoked Celery Root Purée, Preserved Citrus Chawanmushi, Sunchoke Chimichurri, Mushroom-Sherry Broth
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HIPCITYVEG
Crispy HipCity Ranch: Chick’n, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickle, Peppercorn Ranch
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KENSINGTON QUATERS
Braised Short Rib, Mole, Fermented Chiles, Confit Carrots, Mustard Greens
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LITTLE FISH
Verlasso Salmon, Preserved Ramp Vinaigrette, Citrus
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LOST BREAD CO.
Breads and Spreads
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MIDDLE CHILD
Phoagie: Roasted Eggplant, Avocado, Cilantro, Onion, Pho Sauce, Sesame Hoagie
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OLOROSO
Warm Spring Vegetable Salad, Jamón Ibérico, Majorero Goat Cheese
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RES IPSA CAFE
Monkfish Cavatelli, Orange, Saffron, Breadcrumbs, Parsley
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ROYAL SUSHI & IZAKAYA
Kumamoto Oyster Nigiri, Sudachi, Soy Sauce, Chives
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STOCK
Khao Tod Neua: Lone Mountain Wagyu, Red Curry Jasmine Rice Cakes, Cilantro, Mint
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SURAYA
Halabi Lamb Kebab, Hummus, Charred Onions, Tomatoes, Shishitos
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ZAHAV
Chocolate Konafi, Coconut Jam, Pistachios
