StarChefs.com, the nationally acclaimed online magazine for culinary insiders, celebrated its 2012 Atlanta Rising Stars on Wednesday, June 13, at The Goat Farm Arts Center. More than 400 attendees gathered for the walk-around tasting gala to sample dishes from Atlanta’s Rising Stars Chefs and sample beverage pairings from the awarded sommelier and mixologist.
Steelite International presented two new exciting awards: the Restaurant of Distinction Award, recognizing a restaurant that embodies all the elements of success, to Restaurant Eugene, while Chef Adam Evans of The Optimist received the Art of Presentation award for his beautiful plating with singular style.
Inspired by the craftsman spirit of Atlanta, StarChefs.com augmented its existing culinary and restaurateur awards with an Artisan Award, presented by Hobart, to Chef Todd Immel of Star Provisions’ Meat Department. Additional awards included the Rising Star Brewer presented to 5 Seasons’ Brewmaster Crawford Moran and the Rising Star Barista awarded to Empire State South’s Emily Letia.
Empire State South’s Hugh Acheson took home the Mentor Award, presented by Vitamix, which honored him for shaping a new generation of local culinary talent. Guests voted for their favorite dish of the night, choosing Southern Art and Bourbon Bar Chef Anthony Gray and his chicken-fried veal sweetbreads. In keeping with a long-standing tradition, Gray will receive a new Jade plancha as his prize.
Chosen from more than 80 Atlanta culinary professionals through in-person tastings and interviews, the 2012 Atlanta Rising Stars Award Winners include:
CHEFS
David Carson, Bacchanalia
Shane Devereux, The Lawrence
Adam Evans, JCT. Kitchen & Bar
Robert Phalen, One Eared Stag
Ryan Smith, Empire State South
Tyler Williams, Abattoir
Guy Wong, Miso Izakaya
ATHENS CHEF
Peter Dale, The National
PASTRY CHEFS
Aaron Russell, Restaurant Eugene
Chrysta Poulos, Woodfire Grill
SUSTAINABILITY
Terry Koval, Farm Burger
ATHENS SUSTAINABILITY CHEF
Whitney Otawka, Farm 255
ARTISAN CHEF
Todd Immel, Star Provisions’ Meat Department
HOTEL CHEF
Anthony Gray, Southern Art and Bourbon Bar
CONCEPT CHEF
Richard Blais, HD1 and Flip Burger
COMMUNITY CHEF
Taria Camerino, Sugar-Coated Radical
RESTAURATEUR
Brian Lewis, STG Trattoria and Bocado
SOMMELIER
Seth Roskind, 4th & Swift
MIXOLOGIST
Miles Macquarrie, Leon’s Full Service
BREWER
Crawford Moran, 5Seasons
BARISTA
Emily Letia, Empire State South
HOST CHEFS
Chad Clevenger, Alma Cocina
Shayne Vaughan, eleven at the Loews Hotel Atlanta
The proud national supporters of the 2012 StarChefs.com Rising Stars Awards included Steelite International, Meat & Livestock Australia, Hobart, Jade Range, Cervena Venison, Vitamix, Fresh Origins, Meiko, Edward Don, and Verterra/Aspenware. Additionally, local sponsors include the Goat Farm Arts Center, Fifth Group Restaurants and Bold American Catering, Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts inAtlanta, Peachtree Tents & Events, Wholesome Wave, The Atlantan, and the Loews Atlanta Hotel.
News and information presented in this release has not been corroborated by WTWH Media LLC.
