The rise of celebrity chefs has brought excitement about cooking to the masses (and excitement over the cooks themselves t0 celebrities). As a direct result, the talent pool in the restaurant world is well-stocked and cheffing as a career is looking attractive to more and more people and the sit-down dining industry is finally becoming increasingly diverse — both with regards to race and gender.
Which makes Food & Wine’s ‘Best New Chefs of 2017’ more significant than ever. This is an award that matters — a list of the trend-setters and bold new voices that are changing food culture. Eventually, you’ll probably see them on your TV screen, but for now they’re still in the kitchen full time, changing the game.
Snatch up reservations while you can!
Yoshi Okai – Otoko in Austin, Texas
If you visit Otoko, you might think you’ve been transported to Japan to eat in the presence of a sushi master. But look close and you’ll see that Okai filters each dish through a local lens — with a focus on pristine ingredients.
Val Cantu – Californios in San Francisco
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The food at Californios is like the name itself: Mexican classics remixed with California cuisine. Cantu takes traditional ingredients and creates his own contemporary versions of timeworn dishes.
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Peter Cho – Han Oak in Portland, Oregon
Many people believe that Han Oak is one of the best Korean restaurants in the country. Built in a former garage, the restaurant fits perfectly into Portland’s offbeat dining scene.
Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson – Kismet in Los Angeles
Kramer and Hymanson have taken contemporary Middle Eastern cuisine and made it their own. They start with classic ingredients, throw in a little bit of California and what comes out is truly one of a kind (like their famed “Turk-ish” breakfast).
Noah Sandoval – Oriole in Chicago
If you enjoy marathon-style eating, Sandoval is the chef for you. His restaurant serves an eclectic 16-course dinner that melds multiple different styles into one cohesive meal.
Jordan Kahn – Destroyer in Los Angeles
With a name like Destroyer, you know this LA restaurant isn’t your usual tofu and sprouts health spot. Kahn’s menu takes cues from the rugged, natural foods of Iceland and other Scandinavian countries while still managing to keep prices surprisingly low.
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Nina Compton – Compère Lapin in New Orleans
Compton is from St. Lucia and her food represents a melding of Caribbean, creole and low-country Louisiana cooking. The flavors are bold and full of spice, just like the city the restaurant is located in.
Diego Galicia + Rico Torres – Mixtli in San Antonio
You might be surprised to know that arguably the best Mexican food in America is being made in an unassuming restaurant located in a former railroad car behind a strip mall. But, Galicia and Torres are doing just that.
Angie Mar – The Beatrice Inn in New York
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Mar is changing the idea that a steakhouse is the contemporary clubhouse for business men. Her training in some of the best steakhouses in the country has lead to her own, unique style and people are (literally) eating it up.
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Jay Blackinton – Hogstone’s Wood Oven on Orcas Island, Washington
Hogstone’s is likely the hardest restaurant to get to on this list (you have to take a ferry to get there). But, if you take the trip (and many people have) you’ll be greeted with Blackinton’s mouth-watering wood-fired fare.
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