2025 SEATTLE RISING STARS AWARDS

Even before we touched the ground, our team was struck once again by the natural beauty of Seattle and its surrounding area. On our descent, we saw towering Mount Rainier, unbothered by heavy clouds. On the ground, we uncovered a hospitality community deeply inspired by that same landscape, yet wrestling with socioeconomic unpredictability. Luckily, a new generation of resourceful, ethically minded chefs, pastry chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and artisans are working together to clear the daunting obstacles in their way.

Across the city, entrepreneurs and business owners spoke to us about their conflicted feelings surrounding Seattle’s rising minimum wage. While many supported the scheduled increases—establishing one of the highest rates in the country—the rollout, coupled with changes to laws governing delivery apps and delivery drivers, took a toll on day-to-day operations. Still, when challenges arise, hospitality professionals aren’t far from a helping hand.

At the same time, a locavore mentality has taken firm root throughout the city. The unmatched quality and diversity of Washington State produce, livestock, and seafood have energized restaurant professionals and attracted chefs from across the country. Many are cultivating deeper relationships with farmers, fishermen, and purveyors, and leveraging ingredients to tell powerful, personal stories. Others are breaking from the traditional models altogether—leaning into creative formats, menus, and operational structures. Pastry chefs and bakers are leaving behind the typical bakery model—with its volume and overhead—to open specialized concepts of their own.

While political and economic forces will continue to challenge the industry, hospitality professionals in Seattle are drawing on the city’s innovative and creative spirit to find effective solutions. They keep pushing forward, relying on a mix of ingenuity, flexibility, and mutual respect to stay steady while charting a course for an even brighter future.