

2020 STARCHEFS BOSTON RISING STARS
September 21 to October 4
During the coronavirus lockdown and the tidal wave of shit that followed, StarChefs was among the fortunate. After several precarious weeks, we returned to work. Our team is a bit smaller, sadly, and there was so much to figure out—it was disorienting, like a free fall. But Boston saved us.
We scrapped the original outline for this magazine. It was irrelevant. We reached out to Boston chefs, pastry chefs, bartenders, somms, roasters, ice cream makers, and one koji alchemist, and found we were even more inspired than when we first met and ate with them—no masks or plexiglass required. During this time of crisis, Boston has shown what it’s made of: generosity, ingenuity, and perseverance—and plenty of chicken parm.
Hospitality never left us. It just looks a little different now. All the progress that chefs have made, especially during the last couple decades—becoming leaders not only of kitchens and restaurants, but of neighborhoods on up to global leadership, as with the heroic José Andrés—has been leading to this. This is the moment hospitality professionals were preparing for. It’s time to make things better, and make the hospitality industry an example for everyone. The work has already begun in Boston.


RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
These 24 professionals are recognized not only for their exception food and drink, but also for their ability to lead, inspire, and support the local Chicago community. For more information on our Rising Stars selection process, please visit www.starchefs.com/risingstars/about.
-
CHEF
Michael Bergin
The Salty Pig -
CHEF
Josh Elliott
Toro -
CHEF
Nathan Gould
O Ya -
CHEF
Jeremy Kean
Brassica Kitchen + Cafe -
CHEF
Michael Lombardi
SRV -
CHEF
Kevin O’Donnell
SRV -
CHEF
Brian Paszko
Alcove -
GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
Tracy Chang
PAGU -
COMMUNITY
Presented by Kikkoman USA
Ellie Tiglao & Sāsha Coleman
Tanám -
SUSTAINABILITY
Presented by St. Supery
Charlie Foster
Woods Hill -
RESTAURATEUR
Tiffani Faison
Big Heart Hospitality -
PASTRY CHEF
Presented by TCHO Chocolate
Michelle Boland
Oak + Rowan -
PASTRY CHEF
Presented by TCHO Chocolate
Sophie Gees
Oleana -
ICE CREAM MAKER
Alyssa Lieberman
New City Microcreamery -
PÂTISSIÈRE
Presented by Butter of Europe
Hana Quon
Cafe Madeleine -
ROASTER
Robert Rodriguez
Night Shift Coffee -
KOJI ALCHEMIST
Rich Shih
OurCookQuest -
BARTENDER
Ryan Lotz
Traveler Street Hospitality -
BARTENDER
Will Piquette
Alcove -
SOMMELIER
Presented by Wines from Spain
Lauren Friel
Rebel Rebel -
SOMMELIER
Presented by Wines from Spain
Jaimie Puckett
Bar Boulud -
MENTOR
Jamie Bissonette
JK Food Group


RISING STARS RESTAURANT WEEK
To celebrate the Award winners, StarChefs is excited to host our Rising Stars Restaurant Week from Tuesday, September 21 to Tuesday, October 5. For two weeks only, experience the signature dishes, desserts, pastries, cocktails and beverages that wowed the StarChefs editorial team.



















