2026 StarChefs Nashville Rising Stars Awards
StarChefs returns to Nashville to celebrate the city’s most talented up-and-coming food and beverage professionals.
The 2026 Nashville Rising Stars Awards will be the 97th class of Award winners and the 3rd class from Nashville.
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 Nashville Rising Stars Awards event page.
2026 Nashville RISING STARS AWARD WINNERS
CHEFS
Chef Ana Aguilar and Joshua Cook of Tantísimo
Chef Son Pham of Eleven11
Chef Diana Prescott of Bastion
Chef Benjamin Tyson of Butterlamp Bread & Beverage
Chef Selim Ülker of Ayva and Kardes
Chef Hugo Vera of Rolf and Daughters
Chef of Edgar Victoria Alebrije
GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
Chef Mathew Meeker of Fancypants
COMMUNITY
Presented by Resy
Zach Halfhill and Alex Humbrecht of Guerilla Bizkits
CHARCUTIER
Jonathan Pridgen of Locust
PASTRY CHEF
Presented by TCHO Chocolate
Abigail Navis-Black of Henrietta Red
BREWERS
Joel Stickrod of Barrique Brewing and Blending
Luke Walker of Walker Brothers Beverage Co.
BARTENDERS
Presented by Campari Academy
Brandon Archilla of The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club
Matty Izaguirre of Coral Club
SOMMELIERS
Campbell Moore of Locust
Sarah Salim of The Catbird Seat
MENTOR
Presented by Vitamix Commercial
Josh Habiger of Bastion
Nashville 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, Campari Academy, Jade Range, Vulcan, Seafood Scotland, Shun Cutlery, King Arthur Baking Company, Tripleseat, Westholme, Kimpton Aertson Hotel, Maiz de la Vida, Jorge Ordóñez Selections, Harding House, Diana Barton Public Relations, Nashville Food Project
