‘StarChefs’ Acknowledges Nashville Culinary Expertise | Bites

The oldsters at restaurant business journal StarChefs have been followers of the Nashville restaurant scene for fairly some time, ceaselessly that includes native expertise within the pages of the journal and awarding Rising Star acclaim to Nashville cooks in 2014 and 2022. The 2014 class of up-and-coming expertise included some legendary names within the restaurant firmament, together with cooks Philip Krajeck and Levon Wallace, and restaurateurs Benjamin and Max Goldberg.

The 2022 class positively represents the present technology of culinary management who proceed to win recognition from James Beard and nationwide meals media. Amongst that group are Julio Hernandez, Jake Howell, Brian Baxter, Leina Horii and Brian Lea, Alyssa Gangeri and Michael Hanna.

For 2026, the StarChefs crew has positively completed their homework, deciding on a powerful crop of Rising Stars — together with some I’d say have already totally ascended. To rejoice the selectees and encourage Nashville diners to expertise a number of the dishes that impressed the StarChefs judges, they’re throwing a 14-day Restaurant Week from July 15 by means of July 29. The winners will characteristic some signature dishes to present diners a style of what earned these gifted cooks a spot within the highlight.

Right here’s the official listing of winners and what they’ll be that includes throughout the fortnight of StarChefs specials.

Cooks

Ana Aguilar and Joshua Prepare dinner of Tantísimo: Al Pastor Tlayuda, Pineapple, Oaxaca Cheese, Poblano Crema, Pineapple Gel, Lime, Cilantro

Son Pham of Eleven11: Charcoal-Grilled Arcadian Redfish, Fish Sauce, Toasted Peanuts, Smoked Fish Bone Oil, Scallion Oil, Shiso Rice Crackers

Diana Prescott of Bastion: Turnip Chowder Oysters, Pickled Turnip Tops, Fried Saltines

Benjamin Tyson of Butterlamp Bread & Beverage: Roasted Cabbage, Koji Butter, Smoked Shallot Purée, Roasted Peanuts, Chives

Selim Ülker of Ayva and Kardes: Kabak Sıyırma, Carrots, Süzme Yogurt, Dill Gremolata, Toasted Pine Nuts

Hugo Vera of Rolf and Daughters: Tuna-Pork Morcilla Sausage, Grilled Chanterelle Mushrooms, Sonora Berries, Mustard, Pork Jus

Edgar Victoria of Alebrije: American Lamb Barbacoa Taco, Lime, Cilantro, Corn Tortilla, Lamb Consommé

Pastry Chef Offered by TCHO Chocolate

Abigail Navis-Black of Henrietta Crimson: Earl Gray-Caramel Ice Cream Cake, Blackberry Jam, TCHO Chocolate Fudge, Earl Gray Whipped Cream, Blackberries

Bartenders Offered by Campari Academy

Brandon Archilla of The Fox Bar & Cocktail Membership: Piano Classes Can Be Homicide — Cognac, Home Saapéritif, Lime Oil, Caviar

Matty Izaguirre of Coral Membership: Gulf Stream — White Rum, Lime, Easy Syrup, Fino Sherry, Inexperienced Chartreuse

Sommeliers

Campbell Moore of Locust: Dornfelder/Müller-Thurgau, Glow Glow Wines, ‘Pink Fizzy Glow Glow,’ Nahe, Germany, 2023

Sarah Salim of The Catbird Seat: Cinsault, Testalonga, ‘Chin Up’, Swartland, South Africa, 2024

Charcutier

Jonathan Pridgen of Locust: Pork Lardo Roll with Caramelized Scallop Powder

One distinctive facet of StarChefs is that the journal typically convinces cooks to surrender their recipes for inclusion in every subject. For the Nashville Rising Cooks, they’ve wheedled the recipes for lots of the featured dishes and included them on the award web site.

Now are you going to attempt to make Fancypants’ chef Mathew Meeker’s beeswax-poached pumpkin at dwelling? In all probability not, however should you had been to try it, he’s graciously shared the substances and procedures for all of the parts, together with sheep whey foam, ogo, brown cheese chestnut fudge, black ramp paste, hazelnut oil, spicebush wooden oil, smoked onion oil and rose-kombu salt. Yeah, you’re higher off letting him do the cooking on that one.

StarChefs additionally introduced some particular awards along with the standard chef, bartender and sommelier recognitions. Chef Meeker received the Recreation Changer award for his boundary-pushing delicacies. Joel Stickrod of Barrique Brewing and Mixing and Luke Walker of Walker Brothers Beverage Co. had been acknowledged for his or her brewing skills, and Josh Habiger of Bastion was chosen by an nameless poll of the 2026 Rising Stars as an important mentor on the town.

Different recognitions: Zach Halfhill and Alex Humbrecht of Guerilla Bizkits had been acknowledged for his or her connection to the group, chef Kristin Beringson of Henley received the Discover Nashville award, and Aaron and Christen Clemins of Invoice’s Sandwich Palace had been chosen to associate with Star Cooks for a particular group assist undertaking. For each Ham and Tacky sandwich offered at Invoice’s Sandwich Palace throughout Restaurant Week, StarChefs will donate $3 to The Nashville Meals Mission. 

Congratulations to all of the winners!