Whom You Know: NIGHTLIGHT: StarChefs.com Announces Its 2009 Class of Rising Stars Award Winners

Friday, September 25, 2009

NIGHTLIGHT: StarChefs.com Announces Its 2009 Class of Rising Stars Award Winners

StarChefs.com(TM), the online magazine for
culinary insiders, celebrated the StarChefs.com New York Rising Stars Chef
Award winners on Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at the Mandarin Oriental, New
York from 8:00PM-10:30PM. Hosted by Brandon Kida of Asiate, the walk-around
tasting gala was the culmination of the 4th AnnualStarChefs.com International
Chefs Congress. The Rising Star Awards recognize up-and-coming chefs, pastry
chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists from around the country that represent
future leaders of the national culinary scene. Candidates are nominated by the
StarChefs Advisory Board, previous winners, local media, StarChefs' editorial
research and through the StarChefs.com website. Winners are chosen by the
StarChefs editorial team. Over 70 candidates were considered via in person
tastings and interviews. "Our 2009 talents are honing their skills in some of
the best kitchens in the country. They are tenacious and doing what it takes
to succeed in this challenging economic environment," says Antoinette Bruno,
CEO and Editor-in-Chief of StarChefs.com.

The StarChefs 2009 New York Rising Stars Award winners are Chef George Mendes
of Aldea, Chef Isao Yamada of Upstairs at Bouley, Chef Patrick Connolly of
Bobo, Chef Damian Sansonetti of Bar Boulud, Chef Jamison Blankenship of
Morimoto, Chef Jason Neroni of 10 Downing, Mixologist Orson Salicetti of
Apotheke, Mixologist Maxwell Britten of Freemans, Pastry Chef Brooks Headley
of Del Posto, Pastry Chef Robert Truitt of Corton, Sommelier Claire Paparazzo
of Blue Hill, and Restaurateur Colin Devlin of Dressler, Dumont, and Dumont
Burger. Chef Harold Dieterle of Perilla is the winner of the Community Award,
Chef Angelo Sosa of Xie Xie is the winner of the Restaurant Concept Award, and
Chef Amanda Cohen of Dirt Candy is the winner of the Sustainability Award.

Tickets were $150 per person and VIP tickets were $200 and include a pre-event
reception hosted by Mandarin Oriental, New York featuring vintage Nicolas
Feuillatte Palmes d'Or Champagne and Petrossian caviar.

A portion of the proceeds will be donated to Autism Speaks.

National Sponsors of the 2009 StarChefs.com Rising Stars Revue include Jade
Range, Vita-Mix, Winston Industries, Trimark, Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte,
Highland Park Scotch Whisky, Nordaq Fresh, Stella Artois, WJ Deutsch, and The
New York Observer.

Recent Testimonials by Brand Ambassadors on their Experience with Whom You Know

"I work with Peachy Deegan because she's prolific at what she does. She's a hard worker, she's thoughtful and she's tasteful at what she writes which is very important. Peachy gets the facts correct, and just that alone is worth its weight in gold."

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Dimitris Nakos, Founder and Owner of
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President
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http://www.intelexusallc.com/

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https://www.facebook.com/Primola-Canaletto-restaurants-NYC-135616799831091

"
Peachy Deegan is a gem. She is wonderful to feature our Irish brands in 'Whom You Know'! The articles are beautifully and passionately presented, bringing products and brands to life, making both relevant and fun for her many faithful followers to read. I am immensely proud for our hand-crafted products to be included in this venue!"

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Bill Follett
President, Belleek Group North America
www.Belleek.com

"As you know from my past features, Peachy Deegan and I were in the same class at Boston College prior to either of us becoming entrepreneurs. When we played together on the BC Alumni softball team in Central Park years ago, she mentioned she could not find a great dentist in Manhattan and could often be found networking on her phone in the outfield hiding from the ball. She was my second patient ever in 2006 when I opened my dental practice; I was one of the first sponsors on Whom You Know and the first Mover and Shaker featured in 2009 and have worked with her continuously since. She's even talked her friends that are doctors into being my patients, and they subsequently send their hospital colleagues. I don't know anyone that is as great of a networker and writer as Peachy, nevermind that she is upstanding and always good for her word. Cosmopolitan Dental is so happy to be in the company of the caliber of major brands she works with today, and although she will tell you a million ways to get your teeth dirty between Peachy's Picks, Terrific Takeout and Peachy's Pantry, Peachy Deegan will tell you there is only one way to get your teeth clean!"
-Dr. Garo Nazarian, Founder and Owner of Cosmopolitan Dental
http://cosmopolitandental.com/