2025 StarChefs Houston Rising Stars Awards
StarChefs returns to Houston to celebrate the city’s most talented up-and-coming food and beverage professionals.
The 2025 Houston Rising Stars Awards will be the 93rd class of Award winners and the 3rd class from Houston.
The Rising Stars Award winners are designated by the StarChefs editorial team based on in-person tastings and interviews. In each market, the editorial team tastes and interviews with more than 100 chefs, pastry chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and artisans, ultimately selecting a group of 18 to 25 professionals who best represent the future of American dining. Although Rising Stars Awards are given out locally, award winners are evaluated according to a set of national standards. Creativity, ambition, presentation, philosophy, and, most important, delicious food, drinks, and/or pairings win the designation of a StarChefs Rising Star.
For more information, visit the 2022 TKTK Rising Stars Awards event page.
2025 HOUSTON RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
CHEFS
Joseph Boudreaux of Boo's Burger
Evelyn Garcia and Henry Lu of By Kin, Jūn, and Third Place
Christian Hernandez of Barbacana
Benchawan Jabthong Painter of Street to Kitchen
Max Lappe and Jacques Varon of Baso
Adrian Torres of Maximo
Nicolas Vera of Casaema and Papalo Taqueria
GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
Lucas McKinney of Josephine’s
RESTAURATEURS
Martin and Sara Stayer of Nobie’s, Nonno's, Quiote, and The Toasted Coconut
COMMUNITY
Emmanuel Chavez of Tatemó
CONCEPT
Rafael Nasr of Craft Pita
Ope Amosu of ChòpnBlọk
PITMASTER
Cooper Abercrombie of Bar-A-BBQ
PASTRY CHEF
Presented by TCHO Chocolate
Marie Riddle of Bludorn Hospitality Group
Micaela Victoria of formerly of Goodnight Hospitality
BAKERS
Maham Qureshi of Shakkar
Van Teamer of Pudgy's Fine Cookies
ICE CREAM MAKER
Josh De Leon of Underground Creamery
BARTENDERS
Presented by Campari Academy
Kristine Nguyen of Bludorn
MENTOR
Presented by Vitamix Commercial
Justin Yu of Thorough Fare
HOUSTON RISING STARS PARTNERS
Symrise, Steelite International, Vitamix Commercial. S.Pellegrino, Resy, Corto Olive Co., Niman Ranch, TCHO Chocolate, Campari Academy, Nespresso Professional, Nielsen-Massey, American Lamb, Vulcan, Seafood Scotland, King Arthur Baking Company, The Chefs’ Warehouse, The Houstonian, Giant Noise, PX Project, The Grove, 93' Til, Jorge Ordóñez Selections, St. Arnold Brewing
