The 2011 Houston Rising Stars and their Vita-Preps from Vitamix
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Stuart Rosenberg of Studio Communications, Cleverly Stone, StarChefs.com's Managing Editor Will Blunt, StarChefs.com's CEO and Editor-in-Chief Antoinette Bruno, and Michel Emery of Petrossian
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Karen Kemp and Beverly Hoffart
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Chef Richard Knight of Feast and Ashli Smith
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Chef Hugo Ortega of Hugo's and Backstreet Café with Paula Murphy of Patterson & Murphy Public Relations
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Gina Liberto of Highland Park holds a bottle of 18 Year Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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Eva Kelly, Steven Thomson and Sarah Rufca
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Luther and Sokha Bakken
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Rising Star Chef Chris Shepherd of Catalan Food and Wine laughs with guests at the gala
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Jamaican Curried Goat Pie, Cucumber-Tomato-Pickled Banana Pepper Salad, and Green Onion Emulsion by Rising Star Chef Chris Shepherd of Catalan Food and Wine
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Rising Star Community Chef Randy Evans of Haven plates his Country Fried Chicken Liver, Buttermilk Biscuit, and Andouille Sausage Gravy
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Country Fried Chicken Liver, Buttermilk Biscuit, and Andouille Sausage Gravy from Rising Star Community Chef Randy Evans of Haven
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Rising Star Chef Seth Siegel-Gardner plating his Rising Star dish, Australian Beef Short Ribs with Broccoli Puree, Toasted Nori Yogurt, Kaeshi Sauce, and Wasabi Vinaigrette
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Australian Beef Short Ribs with Broccoli Puree, Toasted Nori Yogurt, Kaeshi Sauce, and Wasabi Vinaigrette by Rising Star Chef Seth Siegel-Gardner of Kata Robata
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Dr. Dimitri and Joane Tagaropuies with Rising Star Chef Randy Rucker of Bootsie's
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"Pastiche" Salad of Early Spring Vegetables, Roots, Stems, and Foraged Greens from Rising Star Chef Randy Rucker of Bootsie's
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"Pastiche" Salad of Early Spring Vegetables, Roots, Stems, and Foraged Greens from Rising Star Chef Randy Rucker of Bootsie's
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Rising Star Pastry Chef Chris Leung of Bootsie's plates his Rising Star Dish, Roasted Texas Carrot and Ruby Red Grapefruit Mousse, Grapefruit Marmalade, Hay Sherbet, Candied Sesame Seeds, Clove Meringue, and Miso Foam
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Roasted Texas Carrot and Ruby Red Grapefruit Mousse, Grapefruit Marmalade, Hay Sherbet, Candied Sesame Seeds, Clove Meringue, and Miso Foam
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Rising Star Host Chef Maurizio Ferrarese and Chef Raymond German of Quattro at Four Seasons Hotel Houston
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Rising Star Host Chef Maurizio Ferrarese of Quattro at Four Seasons Hotel Houston plates Australian Lamb Ravioli with Lentil Ragout and Parmesan Fondue
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Rising Star Host Chef Maurizio Ferrarese of Quattro at Four Seasons Hotel Houston holding his Australian Lamb Ravioli with Lentil Ragout and Parmesan Fondue
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Australian Lamb Ravioli with Lentil Ragout and Parmesan Fondue by Rising Star Host Chef Maurizio Ferrarese of Quattro at Four Seasons Hotel Houston
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English Pea Soup
served with Petrossian Caviar and Blini by Rising Star Host Chef Maurizio Ferrarese of Quattro at Four Seasons Hotel
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Rising Star Sustainability Chef Jamie Zelko of Zelko Bistro plates her Rising Star dish, Sauteed Shrimp, White Cheddar Polenta, and Sweet Soy Agave Nectar
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A sous chef sautees shrimp for Rising Star Sustainability Chef Jamie Zelko's dish
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Sauteed Shrimp, White Cheddar Polenta, and Sweet Soy Agave Nectar by Rising Star Sustainability Chef Jamie Zelko of Zelko Bistro
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Hal Hubbs with Sauteed Shrimp, White Cheddar Polenta, and Sweet Soy Agave Nectar from Rising Star Sustainability Chef Jamie Zelko of Zelko Bistro
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A waiter pours guests La Scolca Gavi di Gavi DOCG selected by Rising Star Sommelier Sean Beck to be paired with Rising Star Sustainability Chef Jamie Zelko's dish
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Rising Star Restaurateur Bryan Caswell of Little Bigs, Reef, and Stella Sola and Chef Robert Del Grande of RDG + Bar Annie and The Grove
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Roasted Grouper, Braised Collard Greens, and Pecan-Shallot Cracklins from Rising Star Restaurateur Bryan Caswell of Little Bigs, Reef, and Stella Sola
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2011 Houston Rising Stars Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel - Houston, TX
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Rising Star Chef David Grossman of Branch Water Tavern
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Roasted Cervena Venison, Sweet Potato-Brussels Sprout Hash, Bacon Confit, and Pomegranate Jus from Rising Star Chef David Grossman of Branch Water Tavern
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Rising Star Pastry Chef Vanarin Kuch of Tiny Boxwoods with his dish, Sangria Poached Pears with Goat Cheese Mousse, Grand Cru Gruyere Reserve and Wisconsin Hook's 10-Year Cheddar Shards, Sangria Reduction, and Pineapple-Sage Sorbet
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Rising Star Pastry Chef Vanarin Kuch with Regi Hise,
Shannon Scarfino-Sauer, and Rebecca Seiler of Emmi Roth USA
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Sangria Poached Pears with Goat Cheese Mousse, Grand Cru Gruyere Reserve and Wisconsin Hook's 10-Year Cheddar Shards, Sangria Reduction, and Pineapple-Sage Sorbet from Rising Star Pastry Chef Vanarin Kuch of Tiny Boxwoods
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Rising Star Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi of Kata Robata plates his dish, Uni Chawan Mushi: Traditional Egg Custard with Shrimp, Chicken, Sea Urchin, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Dashi
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Uni Chawan Mushi: Traditional Egg Custard with Shrimp, Chicken, Sea Urchin, Shiitake Mushrooms, and Dashi from Rising Star Chef Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi of Kata Robata
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Rising Star Chef Jeramie Robison of Cinq spices things up
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Restaurateur Steve Zimmerman with Rising Star Chef Jeramie Robison of Cinq at La Colombe d’Or
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Braised Australian Short Ribs, Corn Veloute, Red Wine Cabbage, Mushroom Ragout, and Port Syrup from Rising Star Chef Jeramie Robison of Cinq at La Colombe d’Or
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Rising Star Mixologist Bobby Heugel of Anvil Bar & Refuge mixes The Orkney Opponent with Highland Park 12-Year Scotch Whisky
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Anvil Paloma: Blanco Tequila, Grapefruit Beer, Lime Juice, and Salt Tincture by Rising Star Mixologist Bobby Heugel of Anvil Bar & Refuge
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Rising Star Chef Randy Rucker of Bootsie's and chef assistants plate the entire table with Chef Randy Rucker's pastiche
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Poolside at the 2011 Houston Rising Stars Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel
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Jazz Revisited plays on stage
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Sabrina Swayder, Emily Wang, Allen Chin, Nancy Mitchell, and Lauren Johnson
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Robert Hahmann and James Li of Nordaq Fresh
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Rising Star Sommelier Sean Beck, Kaylan Tannahill, and Mentor Kevin Floyd
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Evan Levanthal and Caitlin Domke of StarChefs.com with Ray Williams of Jade
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Zaheer Qureshi Food and Beverage Director at Omni Hotels and Resorts, Will Blunt of StarChefs.com, and Robert Hahmann of Nordaq Fresh
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Rising Star Pastry Chef Chris Leung of Bootsie's in a liquid nitrogen cloud
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Rising Star Mixologist Bobby Heugel shakes cocktails for guests
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Guests enjoy cocktails and jazz during the gala
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Will Blunt and Antoinette Bruno of StarChefs.com begin the Houston Rising Stars Award Ceremony
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Will Blunt, Chef Carl Walker of Brennan's of Houston, Rising Star Chef Randy Evans of Haven and Antoinette Bruno
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Ray Williams of Jade, Rising Star Chef Randy Rucker, Rising Star Pastry Chef Chris Leung and Rising Star Chef Manabu Horiuchi
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Rising Star Chef Manabu Horiuchi of Kata Robata celebrates on stage
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Crowd during the Houston Rising Stars Award Ceremony
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Will Blunt, Mentor Tracy Vaught, Rising Star Sommelier Sean Beck and Antoinette Bruno
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Rising Star Sustainability Chef Jamie Zelko is cheered by the crowd as she approaches the stage
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Rising Star Restaurateur Bryan Caswell picks up Antoinette Bruno for the cameras
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Will Blunt, Mentor Kevin Floyd, Rising Star Mixologist Bobby Heugel and Antoinette Bruno
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Rising Star Chef Chris Shepherd wins vote for "Best Dish" of the evening, and is awarded by Ray Williams of Jade with a Jade Plancha
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Houston Rising Star Mentors: Chef Claire Smith, Chef Robert Del Grande, Hotelier Steve Zimmerman, Chef Carl Walker, Tracy Vaught, Kevin Floyd, Lauren Postler, Chef Eddy Van Damme, Chef Lisa Biggerstaff, and Chef Jonathan Jones
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Will Blunt of StarChefs.com leads the Rising Star Chefs and Mentors in a toast of Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky
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Shannon Sturgis of StarChefs.com tries to gather the attention of the 2011 Houston Rising Star Winners
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2011 Houston Rising Stars with Will Blunt and Antoinette Bruno of StarChefs.com
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To mark the end of the gala, Rising Star Chef Randy Rucker pours liquid nitrogen into the pool
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2011 Houston Rising Stars Gala at the Four Seasons Hotel - Houston, TX
Photo: Shannon Sturgis, Eric Hester | March 2011
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