2026 StarChefs San Francisco-Oakland Rising Stars Awards

RISING STARS

Sep 18

Written By Team StarChefs

StarChefs returns to San Francisco-Oakland to celebrate the city’s most talented up-and-coming food and beverage professionals.

The 2026 San Francisco-Oakland Rising Stars Awards will be the 98th class of Award winners and the 8th class from San Francisco
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 San Francisco-Oakland Rising Stars Award**s event page.

GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
James Yeun Leong Parry of The Happy Crane

RESTAURATEUR
Presented by Toast
Alexander Hong of Sorrel Restaurant Group

COMMUNITY
Presented by Resy
Peter Dorrance and Eric Ehler of Outta Sight Pizza

PASTRY CHEFS
Presented by TCHO Chocolate
Yesenia Castañon of JouJou and Lazy Bear
Ellie Estrada-Londo of Nisei

BAKER
Nasir Armar of Parachute Bakery

ICE CREAM MAKER
Sydney Arkin of Bad Walter's Bootleg Ice Cream

CHOCOLATIER
Mark Lieuw of Stay Sweet SF

BARTENDERS
Presented by Campari Academy
Garrett Marks of Mister Jiu's and Moongate Lounge
Evan Williams of Dalida and Maria Isabel

SOMMELIER
Parker Story of Burdell

DISTILLERS
James and Sierra Clark of Brucato Spirits

ROASTERS
Fernando and Hannah-Love Diaz of Proyecto Diaz Coffee

MENTOR
Presented by Vitamix Commercial
Richard Lee of Saison

San Francisco-Oakland RISING STARS PARTNERS

Symrise, Steelite International, Vitamix Commercial, S.Pellegrino, Corto Olive Co., Resy, TCHO Chocolate, Niman Ranch, Nespresso Professional, Nielsen-Massey, American Lamb Board, Toast, Aquanaria Seabass, Campari Academy, Jade Range, Vulcan, Seafood Scotland, Shun Cutlery, King Arthur Baking Company, Tripleseat, Westholme, Omni San Francisco, Merchants Exchange Club, Jorge Ordóñez Selections, MG Communications and Events, Sprouts Chef Training