Enjoy A Night With Chicago's Rising Culinary Stars

By Melissa McEwen in Food on Jun 2, 2015 3:00PM

Po Kok Gai: Chicken, Coconut Curry, Chorizo, Olives, Cabbage, Potatoes, and Onion-Parrano Cheese Gratin from honoree Abraham Conlon of Fat Rice (image courtesy StarChefs)

Monday June 8, The Starchefs Rising Stars Gala will honor some of Chicago's most promising chefs, bartenders and other food artisans. Honorees include Harold Jurado of Yusho, Gregory Laketek of West Loop Salumi and Tyler Fry of The Violet Hour.

Antoinette Bruno, CEO and Editor In Chief of Starchefs, says "Chicago is still one of the most exciting culinary markets in the country, young chefs can afford to go out on their own, giving them the creative freedom to take risks and make personal food."

Hosted at Cafe Brauer at the Lincoln Park Zoo, the night starts out with the awards ceremony at 6:30 p.m. and then from 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. there will be a "tasting gala" with items for each award winner. Tickets are $115 per person for VIP, which includes a Cava and caviar tasting at 5:45 p.m. See the menu and winners below:

Savory
Chris Albano of Levy Restaurants at Arlington Park
Featured Dish: Lightly Smoked Great Lakes Walleye, Quinoa-Scallion Pancake, and Pickled Pepper Relish

Greg Biggers of Chestnut Provisions at Sofitel Water Tower
Featured Dish: Foie Gras, Jalapeño-Blueberry Jam, and Cheddar Doughnuts

David Burns of Levy Restaurants at Wrigley Field
Featured Dish: Petrossian American Sturgeon Caviar, Maine Lobster, Cauliflower Vichyssoise, and Micro Chervil

Erin Byrne, Drew Gordon Davis, and Hunter Swartz of Eastman Egg Company
Featured Dish: The Crown: Egg, Chorizo, Egmont Cheese, Avocado, Salsa Verde, and Ciabatta

Christine Cikowski and Josh Kulp of Honey Butter Fried Chicken
Featured Dish: Chicken and Grits with Honey Buffalo Sauce

Johnny Clark and Beverly Kim of Parachute
Featured Dish: Boudin Noir and Seedy Salad

Abraham Conlon of Fat Rice
Featured Dish: Po Kok Gai (aka Portuguese Chicken)

John Hogan of River Roast
Featured Dish: Charcuterie Table

Harold Jurado of Yusho
Featured Dish: Szechuan Lamb Meatballs

Daniel Kelly of Tigerlily Events at Cafe Brauer
Featured Dish: German Rubschlager Pumpernickel with Fresh Origins Micro Greens, Housemade Sour Butter, and Grey Sea Salt

Gregory Laketek of West Loop Salumi
Featured Dish: Charcuterie Board featuring Culatello

Sarah Rinkavage of Lula Cafe
Featured Dish: Short Ribs, Red Rice, Calabrian Chile, Orange, and Cumin

Satoru Takeuchi of NoMI at Park Hyatt Chicago

Lee Wolen of Boka
Featured Dish: Salt Cod Ravioli, Lardo, and Artichokes

Erling Wu-Bower of Nico Osteria
Featured Dish: Kanpachi, Smoked Banyuls Vinegar, Frisée, and Crispy Potato

Pastry and Breads
Art Jackson and Chelsea Jackson of Pleasant House Bakery
Featured Dish: Steak Pasty

Greg Mosko of NoMI at Park Hyatt Chicago
Featured Dish: Smoked Valrhona Chocolate Mousse, Avocado, Pepper Dulce de Leche, and Jerk Pineapple Sorbet

Anna Posey of The Publican
Featured Dish: Sweet Tea and Vanilla Vacherin with Green Almonds and Olive Oil

Greg Wade of Publican Quality Bread
Featured Dish: Bread Selection featuring Rye Berry

Beverages
Xavier Alexander of Metric Coffee Co.
Featured Beverages: Kenya AA Karimikui Microlot and Organic Peru Cajamarc El Palto Microlot Coffees

Ryan Arnold of Lettuce Entertain You
Pairings with Winners' Dishes

Dave Bleitner and John Laffler of Off Color Brewing
Featured Beer: Eille Biere de Miel

Jacyara de Oliveira of Sportsman's Club
Featured Cocktail: Coast to Coast: Denizen White Rum, Lustau Fino Sherry, Honey Syrup, Salt Tincture, and Lemon Zest

Tyler Fry of Violet Hour
Featured Cocktail: The Cruellest Month: Braulio, Gin, Punt e Mes, Lemon, and Salt

Salt Cod Ravioli, Lardo, Braised Artichokes, Artichoke Purée, Crispy Artichoke, and Cod Emulsion by honoree Lee Wolen of Boka (image courtesy StarChefs)