2025 StarChefs Rust Belt Rising Stars Awards
StarChefs is back in the Rust Belt to celebrate Cleveland, Detroit, and Pittsburgh's most talented up-and-coming food and beverage professionals.
The 2025 Rust Belt Rising Stars Awards will be the 93rd class of Award winners and the 2nd class from the Rust Belt.
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 2025 Rust Belt Rising Stars Awards event page.
2025 Rust Belt RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
CHEFS
Ryan Beck of Martha On The Fly | Cleveland
Mike Conrad of Leña | Detroit
Liu Fang of Abundance Culinary | Cleveland
Nik Forsberg of Fet-Fisk | Pittsburgh
Nathan Hobart of Morcilla | Pittsburgh
Marcella Ogrodnik of Duo's | Pittsburgh
Edgar Torres of Vecino | Detroit
John Yelinek of Ladder 4 Wine Bar | Detroit
GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
Vincent Morelli of Cent's Pizza + Goods | Cleveland
RESTAURATEURS
Hamissi Mamba and Nadia Nijimbere Mamba of Baobab Fare and Waka | Detroit
COMMUNITY
Presented by Resy
Symantha Duggan and Rob Wilson of Vesper Books & Wine | Detroit
Marie Artale of Patron Saint Cafe + Bar | Cleveland
Matt and Vanessa Marietti of De Fer Coffee & Tea | Pittsburgh
BAKERS
Presented by TCHO Chocolate
Jo Burke, Kyle Suczynski, and Humna Tak of Forest Bakery | Oak Park
ROASTER
Andrew Delgado Dynamic Coffee Roasters | Pittsburgh
BREWER
Rob Dillman, Zachary Gordon, and Josh Taylor of Old Thunder Brewing Company | Pittsburgh
BARTENDERS
Presented by Campari Academy
Liz Dabecco of Standby | Detroit
Gabriela Holzer of Thyme Table | Cleveland
SOMMELIER
Paulina Schemanski of Mabel Gray | Detroit
MENTOR
Presented by Vitamix Commercial
Brad Greenhill of Spiedo and Takoi | Detroit
Rust Belt RISING STARS PARTNERS
Symrise, Steelite International, Vitamix Commercial, S.Pellegrino, Corto Olive Co., Resy, Niman Ranch, TCHO Chocolate, Campari Academy, Nielsen-Massey, Nespresso Professional, American Lamb, Vulcan, Shun Cutlery, Seafood Scotland, Lone Mountain Wagyu, Jorge Ordonez Selections, Kimpton Schofield, Cleveland Guardians, Delaware North at Progressive Field, Food Strong
