For 25-plus years, Restaurant Hospitality editors have been identifying the industry's best and brightest culinary talent for our Rising Stars program. Long before they became household names, Restaurant Hospitality declared Emeril Lagasse (1987), Jose Andres (1998), Todd English (1991) and Mary Sue Milliken (1987) all Rising Stars. And long before anyone knew what an Iron Chef is, Restaurant Hospitality put the spotlight on several future Iron Chefs as Rising Stars, including Bobby Flay (1991), Michael Symon (1997), Jose Garces (2004) and Marc Forgione (2008). Here is where you'll find who Restaurant Hospitality declared a Rising Star and our reasons for doing so.
Age: 27. Why he's rising: In a city not known for its culinary depth, Symon's cutting-edge American cuisine has set a new standard for other cooks to shoot for; after working for years to make others successful, he recently opened his first...
Age: 32. Why he's rising: DiSpirito is opening eyes, and raising eyebrows, at Union Pacific in NYC's re-emergent Flatiron district. "If you have an adventurous palate, DiSpirito can take you on a culinary thrill ride," wrote RH contributor John...