Dining In Dc – Food and Restaurant Blog

Capitol at dusk. Photo by L. Shapiro

For the third time in Washington, DC, StarChefs.com celebrated young DC area chefs who are considered to be the future leaders of the culinary scene. Every year the StarChefs Advisory board consisting of internationally recognized chefs, previous winners, local food media, and members of the public nominate culinary professionals that best embody the landscape of their city’s dining scene. StarChefs holds a Rising Star “Revue” in 4 American cities each year. This year, in addition to DC, chefs from New York,  Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Franisco were honored. In each city, between 60-100 chefs are dwindled down to a select group of 10-16 through in-person interviews and tastings.

Ruben Garcia preparing the Cotton Candy Eel. Photo by L. Shapiro

The 2010 StarChefs.com Rising Stars Revue in Washington, DC was held on the rooftop of the Charlie Palmer Steakhouse with a remarkable view of the US Capitol. The walk-around tasting gala featured the selected up-and-coming DC area culinary professionals  and their signature dishes, desserts, and drinks. Each Rising Stars Chef and Pastry Chef serves one dish (usually from their tasting with StarChefs.com), the Rising Star Mixologist serves cocktails, and the Rising Star Sommelier serves wine pairings that they have chosen for the chefs dishes and desserts. The Revue gala has a people’s choice award or “Best Dish” contest sponsored by Jade Range (the winner wins a Jade plancha).

Chris Ford's Chocolate Soup. Photo by L. Shapiro

Some of my favorite dishes were the Cotton Candy Eel by Rubén García of minibar by josé andrés and ThinkFoodGroup, the Sustainable Shrimp, Shaved Green Papaya, Long Peppers, and Peanuts by David Varley, Bourbon Steak, the Braised Australian Beef Cheeks, Juniper, Ginger Beer, Stone Ground Grits, and Arugula by Jason Alley, Comfort, the Chocolate Soup, Cocoa Nib Sherbet, Cinnamon Marshmallow, and Devil’s Food Cake by Chris Ford, Trummer’s on Main, and the Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart, Malted Milk Sorbet, and Whiskey Vanilla Shake by Tiffany MacIsaac, Birch & Barley.

I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that my favorite part of the evening was sipping Gina Chersevani’s Beet-iful Apples with Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Dolin Sweet Vermouth, Apple Juice, Red Beet Reduction, and Mint of PS 7′s.

Congratulations to all of the Rising Star Winners and to MATT HILL who won the People’s Choice, “Best Dish”.