-Courtesy of Punch Media
Feature photo: NEW JUNE BAKERY // ARTISAN BAKERS
StarChefs, the restaurant industry magazine, announced its 2024 Philadelphia Rising Stars, along with Rising Stars Restaurant Week from Wednesday, February 28 through Wednesday, March 13. The two-week promotion will highlight the Rising Stars and gives diners the opportunity to experience the honorees’ signature dishes and drinks. The 2024 class includes 19 food and beverage professionals, recognized by StarChefs not only for their exceptional food and drinks, but also for their ability to lead, inspire, and support their local communities.
The Rising Stars Award winners are designated by the StarChefs editorial team based on in-person tastings and interviews. In each market, the editorial team tastes and interviews with more than 100 chefs, pastry chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and artisans, ultimately selecting a group of 17 to 25 professionals who best represent the future of American hospitality. Although Rising Stars Awards are given out locally, Award winners are evaluated according to a set of national standards. Creativity, ambition, presentation, philosophy, and, of course, delicious food and drink win an individual the designation of a StarChefs Rising Star. The 2024 Philadelphia Rising Stars will be the 85th class of Rising Stars Award winners and the 4th class from Philadelphia.
“Few hospitality communities are as close-knit as Philadelphia,” said StarChefs Managing Partner Will Blunt, “Throughout the city, we witnessed proud cooking and creating, with an eagerness to share and support one another. Philly is resilient, and stands its ground alongside the other great culinary cities of the country, pushing the industry forward with gumption and a distinct culinary voice.”
2024 STARCHEFS PHILADELPHIA RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
CHEFS
- Chef Chance Anies of Tabachoy
- Chef Mike Carter of Down North Pizza
- Chef Edwin De La Rosa of Middle Child Clubhouse
- Chef Alex Kemp of My Loup
- Chef George Madosky of Fork
- Chef Kevin McWilliams of Laurel
GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
Celebrates a chef whose leadership is boldly advancing the restaurant industry, whether it’s through boundary-pushing cuisine, an innovative dining format, or a revolutionary business idea.
Chef Ian Graye of Pietramala
RESTAURATEURS
Presented by Jade Range
Restaurateurs Chloé Grigri and Vincent Stipo of Bad Baguette Hospitality
COMMUNITY
Presented by Resy
Recognizes a professional who is deeply connected to the local hospitality community, dedicates their time to community outreach, and is a catalyst for involving members of the culinary community in important initiatives.
Roaster Thu Pham of Càphê Roasters
CONCEPT
Restaurateurs Alexandra and Jacob Cohen of Kismet Bagels
Restaurateur Sofia DeLeon of El Merkury and Tenango Rum
PASTRY CHEFS
Presented by TCHO Chocolate
Pastry Chef Amanda Rafalski of Friday Saturday Sunday
BARTENDERS
Bartender Fred Beebe of Post Haste
Bartender Brandon Thrash of Middle Child Clubhouse
SOMMELIER
Sommelier Frank Kinyon of a.kitchen+bar
ARTISAN BAKERS
Baker Noelle Blizzard of New June Bakery
Baker Delilah Pergola of High Street Bakery
MENTOR
Presented by Vitamix Commercial
The 2024 class of Philadelphia Rising Stars anonymously voted on a Mentor Award winner. The award goes to someone who supports and inspires young restaurant professionals in their community, while nurturing talent with generosity, skill, and vision.
Restaurateur Ellen Yin of High Street Hospitality
RESTAURANT WEEK BONUS STOPS
STARCHEFS SUPPORTS
StarChefs is excited to partner with Singer Equipment Company and Chef Yun Fuentes of Bolo to support Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP) during Philadelphia Rising Stars Restaurant Week. C-CAP is a workforce development non-profit that provides underserved teens a pathway to success. For every Lumina Lamb dish sold at Bolo during the Rising Stars Restaurant Week, StarChefs will donate $5 to C-CAP.
EXPLORE EUROPE
Presented by European Research Executive Agency
Chef Chris Kearse of Forsythia
EXPLORE PHILADELPHIA
Chef Stephen Benzinger of The Wayward at Canopy Philadelphia
ART OF PRESENTATION
In partnership with Steelite International, the Award winners will have the opportunity to win Steelite’s Art of Presentation Award. This digital contest showcases the creativity and art of plating. The winner will receive $5,000 toward Steelite products of their choice.
PHILADELPHIA RISING STARS SUPPORTERS
Symrise, European Research Executive Agency, Steelite International, Vitamix Commercial, S.Pellegrino, Singer Equipment Company, Corto Olive Co., TCHO Chocolate, Resy, Vulcan, Niman Ranch, Lumina Lamb, Cheeses From Spain, La Colombe, LaBelle Patrimoine, Canopy Philadelphia, CookNSolo Restaurants, Punch Media, Careers Through Culinary Arts Program (C-CAP)
ABOUT STARCHEFS
StarChefs is a sounding board, voice, and trusted resource for the food and beverage industry. Since 1995, StarChefs has moved the industry forward with the sole mission to catalyze industry professionals’ success by giving them the tools, resources, and support they need to overcome challenges. StarChefs’ original content is driven by hundreds of in-person tastings and interviews each year with the country’s top chefs, pastry chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, and artisans. Through its national Rising Stars Awards program and print magazine, StarChefs recognizes up-and-coming food and beverage talent and delivers recipes, industry trends, business intel, beverage knowledge, new techniques, and a fresh dose of inspiration to professionals across the country. Connect with StarChefs on Instagram and Facebook.
Philadelphia RowHome Magazine's Blog 