Thursday, June 12, Starchefs.com, the restaurant industry trends magazine, will celebrate the 2014 Rising Stars Awards with a gustatory gala at Vibiana. The Host Chefs will be Neal Fraser of Vibiana and David Padilla of On Rodeo Bistro & Lounge. Award categories include Community Chef, Sustainability Chef, Artisan Baker, Neighborhood Bartender and Restauranteur. Recipients of this year’s awards will be presenting tastings, while the winning sommeliers and bartenders offer pairings and cocktails.
Prepare your palate for upscale bites such as Scallop, Uni, Strawberry, Yuzu, and Nori from Niki Nakamaya of n/naka. Barbecued Gulf Oysters with Chile-Garlic Butter from Brian Dunsmoor and Kris Tominaga of The Hart and the Hunter, and Fried Rabbit, Carolina Gold Rice, and Sour Cream Gravy from Jonathan Whitener of Animal.
You can also expect some exciting fashion-forward dishes like Chicken Gizzards, Beets, Endive, and Capra Sarda from Ori Menashe of Bestia, Jellyfish Salad, Chicken, and Crispy Rice from Bryant Ng of The Spice Table, and Pig Tail-Shimp Tail Dumplings from Atsushi Takatsuki of MB Post (South Bay represent!). There will also be pizza, charcuterie and some thrilling desserts, so arrive hungry.
Devon Tarby of Honeycut and Kiowa Bryan of Eveleigh will be mixing up cocktails while Sommeliers Rob Harpest of Bouchon and Taylor Parsons of République handle the pairings.
The VIP reception begins at 5:45pm, there will be an awards ceremony at 6:30pm and the Tasting Gala will take place from 7:30 to 9:30. General admission is $95 and the VIP tickets, which include a private reception with champagne and Petrossian caviar, is $125. A portion of the evening’s proceeds will go to The Garden School Foundation. Tickets can be purchased here. Come celebrate LA’s rising stars!
Photo courtesy of Starchefs.com
