StarChefs.com, the award-winning online magazine for culinary insiders, is thrilled to announce its 2012 Atlanta Rising Stars award winners. The winners will be showcased at the 38th StarChefs.com Rising Stars Gala on June 13, 2012, from 6–9:30 p.m. at the Goat Farm Arts Center, a historic site that now houses a major visual and performing arts center.
Hosted by Chef Chad Clevenger of Alma Cocina and Shayne Vaughan of eleven at Loews Hotel Atlanta, the walk-around tasting gala will give local food lovers the opportunity to taste the talents of Atlanta’s Rising Stars Chefs and sample beverage pairings by the winning sommelier and mixologist, in one location, for one incredible night only.
Through its partnership with the Goat Farm Arts Center, not only will StarChefs.com showcase the city’s best cuisine, they’ll do it in conjunction with acclaimed local artist David Baerwalde.
For his most recent Arts Center exhibition, an installation of “delicious objects,” Baerwalde has reclaimed and reconfigured anonymous bits of scrap material and waste—everything from wood and sawdust to honey and coffee grounds—transforming the detritus of the Goat Farm’s recent evolution into simple, elegant pieces that express the locale. The exhibition is the perfect companion to a night celebrating local culinary talents, products, and daring creativity.
“We've found a creative, eclectic, burgeoning culinary landscape in Atlanta,” says StarChefs.com Editor-in-Chief Antoinette Bruno. “It’s the heart of farm-to-table, artisanal product, and historical cooking. This city is the epitome of Southern cuisine.”
More than 80 Atlanta culinary professionals were considered through in-person tastings and interviews. The 2012 Atlanta Rising Stars Award Winners are:
CHEFS
Shane Devereux, The Lawrence
Ryan Smith, Empire State South
Adam Evans, JCT. Kitchen & Bar
Andy Carson, Bacchanalia
Tyler Williams, Abattoir
Robert Phalen, One Eared Stag
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 at the InterContinental Buckhead
CONCEPT CHEF
Richard Blais, HD1 and Flip Burger
COMMUNITY CHEF
Taria Camerino, Sugar-Coated Radical
RETAURATEUR
Brian Lewis, STG Trattoria and Bocado
SOMMELIER
Seth Roskind, 4th & Swift
MIXOLOGIST
Miles Macquarrie, Leon’s Full Service
HOST CHEFS
Chad Clevenger, Alma Cocina
Shayne Vaughan, Loews Hotel Atlanta
In Atlanta, StarChefs.com will present its Restaurant of Distinction Award, presented by Steelite International. The award recognizes a Rising Star who demonstrates beautiful plating with singular style.
Additionally, the craftsman spirit of Atlanta inspired StarChefs.com to augment its existing culinary and restaurateur awards with an Artisan Award, presented by Hobart, as well as Rising Star Brewer and Coffee awards.
The Mentor Award, presented by Vitamix, will also be given to one influential chef who has shaped a new generation of local culinary talent.
The Mentor, Brewer, and Coffee awards will be announced at the gala. And in our long-running tradition, guests will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite dish of the night. The Rising Star who garners the most votes will receive a brand new Jade Range 18” commercial plancha.
