The Stars Are Shining On Atlanta: Starchefs.com Announces Its Atlanta Rising Stars Award Winners, In Partnership With The Goat Farm Arts Center

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 6pm - 9:30pm at the Goat Farm Arts Center, a historic site that now houses a major visual and performing arts center. Hosted by Chef Zach Meloy of PushStart Kitchen, 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," said 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."

Over 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, The Sound Table, Top FLR
Ryan Smith, Empire State South
Adam Evans, JCT Kitchen
Andy Carson, Bacchanalia
Tyler Williams, Abattoir
Robert Phalen, One Eared Stag
Guy Wong, Miso Izakaya

PASTRY CHEFS
Aaron Russell, Restaurant Eugene
Chrysta Poulos, Woodfire Grill

SUSTAINABILITY
Terry Koval, Farm Burger

ARTISAN
Todd Immel, Star Provisions' Meat Department
HOTEL CHEF
Anthony Gray, Southern Art and Bourbon Bar at the InterContinental Buckhead

CONCEPT
Richard Blais, HD1 and Flip Burger

COMMUNITY
Taria Camerino, Sugar-Coated Radical

RETAURATEURS
Brian Lewis, STG Trattoria, Bocado

SOMMELIER
Seth Roskind, 4th & Swift

MIXOLOGIST
Miles Macquarrie, Leon's Full Service

ATHENS
CHEF
Peter Dale, The National
SUSTAINABILITY CHEF
Whitney Otawka, Farm 255

HOST CHEF
Chef Zach Meloy of PushStart Kitchen

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.

Tickets are $85 per person; VIP tickets are $125 and include a private reception with Champagne and Petrossian caviar, beginning at 5:45pm. Tickets can be purchased at www.starchefs.com/tickets or by calling 212.966.7575.

The proud National Supporters of 2012 StarChefs.com Rising Stars Awards are: Steelite International, Meat &