StarChefs.com Awards Atlanta’s Rising Stars

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.

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