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StarChefs Announces the 2023 Coastal New England Rising Stars and Rising Stars Restaurant Week
View photos of all the Rhode Island StarChefs 2023 Winners, and some of their work, in a slideshow following the story.
StarChefs, the restaurant industry magazine, announces its 2023 Coastal New England Rising Stars. To celebrate the new class, StarChefs will host a Rising Stars Restaurant Week from September 20 through October 4. The two-week campaign highlights the Rising Stars and gives guests the opportunity to experience the honorees’ signature dishes and drinks. The 2023 class includes 21 food and beverage professionals, recognized by StarChefs not only for their exceptional food and drinks, but also their ability to lead, inspire, and support their local communities.
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 17 to 25 professionals who best represent the future of American hospitality. Although Rising Stars Awards are given out locally, award winners are evaluated according to a set of national standards. Creativity, ambition, presentation, philosophy, and, of course, delicious food and drink win an individual the designation of a StarChefs Rising Star. The 2023 Coastal New England Rising Stars will be the 83rd class of Rising Stars Award winners and the 2nd class from Coastal New England.
2023 StarChefs Coastal New England Rising Stars Award Winners
CHEFS
Jeremy Broucek of Bread & Friends | Portland, ME
Eric Brown of Thick Neck | Providence, RI
Valerie Goldman of The Honey Paw | Portland, ME
Luke Mersfelder of Bywater | Warren, RI
Nikhil Naiker of Nimki | Providence, RI
Manny Rojas of or, The Whale | Nantucket, MA
Basil Yu of Yagi Noodles | Newport, RI
Neil Zabriskie of REGARDS | Portland, ME
GAME CHANGER
Presented by S.Pellegrino
Celebrates a chef whose leadership is boldly advancing the restaurant industry, whether it’s through boundary-pushing cuisine, an innovative dining format, or a revolutionary business idea.
Scott LaChapelle of Pickerel | Providence, RI
RESTAURATEURS
Presented by Jade Range
Marisa Lewiecki and Jordan Rubin of Bar Futo and Mr. Tuna | Portland, ME
Taylor Oliver and Andrea Solimeo of Pizzeria Gemelle, Ventuno, and Via Mare | Nantucket, MA
COMMUNITY
Presented by Resy
Recognizes professionals who are deeply connected to the local culinary community, dedicate their time to community outreach, and are ultimately catalysts for involving members of the culinary community in important initiatives.
Robert Andreozzi of Pizza Marvin | Providence, RI
Cyle Reynolds of Crispy Gai | Portland, ME
CONCEPT
Nicholas Gillespie of Dune Brothers Seafood | Providence, RI
PASTRY CHEF
Presented by TCHO Chocolate
Georgia Macon of Twelve | Portland, ME
BARTENDERS
Presented by Beam Suntory
Arvid Brown of Room for Improvement | Portland, ME
Britt Simons of The Eddy | Providence, RI
SOMMELIERS
Bethany Caliaro of Gift Horse and Oberlin | Providence, RI
Kelsey Shaw of Bayberry Garden | Providence, RI
MENTOR
Presented by Vitamix Commercial
The 2023 class of Coastal New England Rising Stars anonymously voted on a Mentor Award winner. The award goes
to a chef who supports and inspires young restaurant professionals in their community, while nurturing talent with
generosity, skill, and vision.
Ben Sukle of Gift Horse and Oberlin | Providence, RI
STARCHEFS SUPPORTS
StarChefs is excited to partner with Singer M.Tucker and Chef Jake Rojas of Tallulah’s Taqueria to support
Amos House during Coastal New England Rising Stars Restaurant Week. Since 1976, Amos House has
been a staple of the Rhode Island nonprofit community, serving the homeless, unemployed, and those who
are living in poverty. For every Niman Ranch pork belly carnitas taco sold at Tallulah’s Taqueria during
Rising Stars Restaurant Week, StarChefs will donate $5 to Amos House.
ART OF PRESENTATION
In partnership with Steelite International, the award winners will have the opportunity to win the Rising Stars
Art of Presentation Award. This online content showcases the creativity and art of plating. The winner will
receive $5,000 toward Steelite International products of their choice. Voting will remain open to the public
through Monday, September 18th at 10 A.M. EST.
Rising Stars Supporters
Symrise, Steelite International, Vitamix Commercial, S.Pellegrino, Niman Ranch, Jade Range, TCHO
Chocolate, DemKota Ranch Beef, Singer M.Tucker, Corto Olive Co., Lumina Farms, Beam Suntory, Resy,
Vulcan, GoProvidence, Trentadue Winery, Amos House, Narragansett Brewery
Chef Eric Brown of Thick Neck 
Thick Neck’s Roasted Spaghetti Squash Salad, Burnt Pumpkin Seed Vinaigrette, Fermented Squash, Parsley Powder 
Chef Luke Mersfelder of Bywater 
Bywater’s Crudo 
Chef Nikhil Naiker of Nimki 
Nimki’s Saina: Fried Spring Green-Lentil Roll, Spring Onion-Carrot Top Powder, Tamarind-Mint Chutney 
Chef Basil Yu of Yagi Noodles 
Yagi Noodles’s Tantanman: Sesame Soup, Beef Soboro, Peanuts, Red Cabbage, Edamame, Chile Crisp 
Chef Scott LaChapelle of Pickerel 
Pickerel’s Littleneck Clam Shio Ramen, Hosaki Menma, Chashu Pork Shoulder and Belly 
Chef Robert Andreozzi of Pizza Marvin 
Pizza Marvin’s Chowdah Pie: Clams, Potato, Bacon, Herbs 
Chef Nicholas Gillespie of Dune Brothers Seafood 
Dune Brothers Seafood’s Whole Roasted Scup, Black Eyed Peas, Linguiça, Turnip, Peri Peri Mayonnaise, Molho Cru 
Bartender Britt Simons of The Eddy 
The Eddy’s Crushed Velvet: Orchard Fruit-Infused Gin, Dry Vermouth, Fino Sherry, Tonic Syrup, Lemon Peel 
Sommelier Bethany Caliaro of Gift Horse and Oberlin 
Oberlin’s Pasta with Yoigokochi Sake 
Sommelier Kelsey Shaw of Bayberry Garden 
Chef Ben Sukle of Gift Horse and Oberlin
Photos courtesy of StarChefs
About StarChefs:
StarChefs has supported the restaurant industry since 1995 and serves as an essential resource for
restaurant professionals, as well as a backstage pass for food-savvy consumers. StarChefs’ original content
is driven by in-person tastings and interviews across the country, and its mission is to catalyze culinary
professionals’ success and give them the tools to overcome challenges. Through its Rising Stars Awards
and Rising Stars magazine, StarChefs has recognized up-and-coming industry professionals nationally
each year since 2003. Connect with StarChefs on Instagram and Facebook.
Hope & Main Teams up with Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream to Host RI Pitch Room Competition for Third Year in a Row
Come to the Schoolyard Market and Cheer On Your Favorite Local Food Businesses
During Wednesday’s Schoolyard Market, on September 13 from 5 to 8:00PM, Hope & Main will host the third annual Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream Pitch Room Competition where six local food companies will compete for $10,000 in prize winnings and the honor of being Rhode Island’s champion.
It is all part of a six week-long Munch Madness Competition where Hope & Main members compete for the coveted prize from Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream.
Says Hope & Main Founder, Lisa Raiola, “We are proud to host the Pitch Room Competition. It is a little bit like Shark Tank meets Chopped in Rhode Island. It is such a great opportunity for exposure for our food-preneurs. The event brings high visibility to Rhode Island’s vibrant, growing, and diverse food economy powered by small businesses.”
Sam Adams Brewing the American Dream supports local food and beverage entrepreneurs across the U.S. with access to capital, networks, and business coaching.
The Pitch Room Competition will take place in front of a live panel of all-star judges including Jamie Coelho, the editor in chief of Rhode Island Monthly: Chef Sanjiv Dhar, the Owner of Spice Kraft Inc, and RI Hospitality Association’s Restaurateur of the Year 2023; Jarvis Green, retired New England Patriots player, two-time Super Bowl Champion, and food-preneur; and Jennifer Glanville, Master Brewer for Sam Adams Boston Brewery. Rhody food fans will hear six pitches from Hope & Main founders who were selected by popular vote in the first round of Munch Madness.
The finalists competing for the coveted honor of being the inaugural RI Pitch Room Champion include:
- Guetty Antiste, Empanada Assassin
- Savannah Campbell, Caribe & Co
- Ramon Hinds, Orisirisi Spice of Life
- Amber Jackson, Black Leaf Tea Co.
- Pin Minyvong, Pin’s Kytchen
- Mariana Silva-Buck, Little Maven Lemonade
The Live Pitch Room Competition will take place during Hope & Main’s weekly Schoolyard Market. There will be many Hope & Main vendors offering local food and beverages, including craft cocktails and Sam Adams beer, all evening.
The two finalists from the Pitch Room Competition will go on to compete for the $10,000 cash prize at the Hope & Main Twilight Party on Saturday, September 23rd. Party-goers will vote for their favorite business and the winner will be crowned that evening!
This year’s generous presenting sponsor for Hope & Main’s Munch Madness competition is BankNewport.
