StarChefs returns to New Orleans to celebrate the city’s most talented up-and-coming food and beverage professionals.
The 2026 New Orleans Rising Stars Awards will be the 99th class of Award winners and the 5th class from New Orleans.
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 2026 New Orleans Rising Stars Awards event page.
2026 New Orleans RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
CHEFS
Adolfo Garcia of Chi Chi's and Dolfy's
Evan Ingram and Brenna Sanders of The Crustacean Club
Rob Mistry of Avegno and Gautreau's
Rob Tabone of Patula
Haley Vaughan of Respite
GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
Charly Pierre of Fritai
RESTAURATEUR
Presented by Toast
Ana Castro of Grupo Chamuco
COMMUNITY
Presented by Resy
Martha Gilreath of Nolita Bakery
Jake Laugle of Delicious and Harmless
PASTRY CHEFS
Presented by TCHO Chocolate
Nola Carpenter of formerly of Mosquito Supper Club
Shardé Cole of Dakar NOLA
BAKER
Kelly Jacques of Ayu Bakehouse
ROASTER
TKTK of TKTK
BARTENDERS
Presented by Campari Academy
Cale Brown of Junglebird 504
Juice LeClair of NightBloom
SOMMELIER
Marie-Louise Friedland of Saint-Germain
MENTOR
Presented by Vitamix Commercial
Nina Compton of Compère Lapin
New Orleans RISING STARS PARTNERS
Symrise, Steelite International, Vitamix Commercial, S.Pellegrino, Resy, Corto Olive Co., Niman Ranch, TCHO Chocolate, Nespresso Professional, Nielsen-Massey, American Lamb Board, Toast, Campari Academy, Seafood Scotland, King Arthur Baking Company, Jade Range, Vulcan, Westholme, Shun Cutlery, Tripleseat, Virgin Hotels New Orleans, Simoneink, Son of a Saint, Jack Rose, Junebug, Château Dauzac, Chalk Hill, Stoller
