Rhode Island’s Top Chefs, Bartenders and Sommeliers Win StarChefs Awards
The list of 2023 Coastal New England Rising Stars includes many members of the Rhode Island hospitality scene.
Bartender Britt Simons of the Eddy.
Do you know the chefs in the Ocean State that are the best of the best?
StarChefs, the restaurant industry magazine, just made it easy to find out, with its 2023 cohort of Coastal New England Rising Stars. Eleven Rhode Island restaurateurs, sommeliers, and chefs made the list, from Providence to Newport, not only for their exceptional food and drinks, but also for their ability to lead, inspire, and support their local communities. They’re serving everything from classic favorites to excellently executed flavors, whether it’s upscale ramen noodles to hand-crafted pizza and local seafood, or martinis and the crave-worthy house punch.
To celebrate these food and beverage luminaries, StarChefs will host a Rising Stars Restaurant Week Sept. 20-Oct. 4. The two-week campaign will give guests the chance to experience these honorees’ signature dishes and drinks.
“The Rising Stars Award winners are designated by the StarChefs editorial team based on in-person tastings and interviews … with more than 100 chefs, pastry chefs, bartenders, sommeliers, restaurateurs, and artisans, ultimately selecting 17 to 25 professionals who best represent the industry,” says Lizzie Takimoto of StarChefs. “Although Rising Star awards are giving out locally, 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.”
Check out the entire list of distinguished alumni. Then visit these newest Rhode Island honorees:
CHEFS
Eric Brown of Thick Neck – 122 Fountain St. (at The Dean Hotel), Providence, @eat_thickneck
Chef Eric Brown of Thick Neck.
Luke Mersfelder of Bywater – 54 State St., Warren, @bywaterwarren
Chef Luke Mersfelder of Bywater.
Nikhil Naiker of Nimki – Providence, @nimki.pvd
Chef Nikhil Naiker.
Basil Yu of Yagi Noodles – 20 Long Wharf Mall, Newport, @yaginoodles
Chef Basil Yu of Yagi Noodles.
GAME CHANGER
Scott LaChapelle of Pickerel – 3 Luongo Sq., Providence, @pickerel_ri
Chef Scott LaChapelle of Pickerel.
COMMUNITY
Robert Andreozzi of Pizza Marvin – 468 Wickenden St., Providence, @pizza_marvin
Chef Robert Andreozzi of Pizza Marvin.
CONCEPT
Nicholas Gillespie of Dune Brothers Seafood – 239 Dyer St., Providence, @dunebrothersseafoodshack
Chef Nick Gillespie of Dune Brothers.
BARTENDERS
Britt Simmons of The Eddy – 95 Eddy St., Providence, @theeddybar
SOMMELIER
Bethany Caliaro of Gift Horse and Oberlin – 272 & 266 Westminster St., Providence, @gifthorsepvd, @oberlin_pvd
Bethany Caliaro of Oberlin and Gift Horse.
Kelsey Shaw of Bayberry Garden – 225 Dyer St., Providence @bayberrygarden
Kelsey Shaw of Bayberry Garden.
MENTOR
Ben Sukle of Gift Horse and Oberlin – 272 & 266 Westminster St., Providence @gifthorsepvd @oberlin_pvd
Ben Sukle of Oberlin and Gift Horse.
