The best restaurants in Boston are teeming with talent—and the national industry publication StarChefs has returned to elevate some up-and-comers with a two-week dinner party. Seventeen local chefs, bartenders and other culinary talent comprise the 2024 Boston Rising Stars and will be featured in StarChefs’ Rising Stars Restaurant Week, happening in Boston Wednesday, July 24-Wednesday, August 7.
Since StarChefs’ last survey of Boston dining in 2020, the outlet has noted the “geographic expansion” of our dining scene, with chefs and beverage pros based in Somerville, Cambridge and Quincy topping the list. “They’re pivoting away from the rising rents of Downtown Boston and coming up with clever, outside-the-box ways to get their businesses off the ground,” StarChefs notes. Citing the area’s indie food halls, Charles River Speedway and Bow Market, “smaller-scale operations are punching above their weight.”
StarChefs has published recipes, trend stories, business news and more restaurant industry-focused content since 1995. The organization is best-known for these annual Rising Stars Awards, which highlight dining scenes around the country on a rotating basis. Based on in-person tastings and interviews with StarChefs’ editorial team, restaurant professionals are recognized not only for what they create and serve, but also how they lead, inspire and support their local communities, according to the editors.
During Rising Stars Restaurant Week, diners will have the chance to try the dishes, drinks and pairings that impressed the StarChefs editorial team in Greater Boston—and maybe win some extra dining-out money. Order any of the featured dishes highlighted on the Rising Stars’ menus and share on your social media by tagging @StarChefs and #StarChefsRisingStars to be entered to win a $100 restaurant gift card.
StarChefs is also supporting the Boston-born food rescue organization Spoonfuls, with help from chef Melissa Stefanini of Buenas and Super Bien. For every Impossible Big Mac empanada sold at Buenas and Super Bien during the Rising Stars Restaurant Week, StarChefs is donating $3 to Spoonfuls.
Want to taste for yourself what all the hype is about? Check out StarChefs’ latest list of Rising Stars in Boston, and what featured dishes you’ll see shining during Restaurant Week.
2024 StarChefs Boston Rising Stars Award Winners
Chefs
Matthew Bullock of Southern Pines Diner Car | Somerville, MA
Mushroom Melt
Lukas Dow of Judy’s Bay | Cambridge, MA
Lobster Roe Pasta
Molly Dwyer of Bar Volpe | Boston
Crispy Potato Tonnato
Luke Fetbroth of Tonino | Boston
Countneck Clams
Laurence Louie of Rubato | Quincy, MA
Fried Chicken Bolo Bao
Game Changer
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.
Tomo Shinoda of Yume Ga Arukara | Boston
Musashino Udon
Restaurateurs
Stefanos Oungrinis and Demetri Tsolakis of Xenia Greek Hospitality | Boston and Brookline
Chef Brendan Pelley’s Prasotigania at Bar Vlaha
Community
Recognizes a professional who is deeply connected to their local hospitality community, dedicates their time to community outreach, and is a catalyst for involving members of the culinary community in important initiatives.
Kelsey Munger of Monumental Market | Boston
Honey Butter Biscuit
Pastry Chef
Nik Mastalerz of Oleana | Cambridge, MA
Cookies and Cream Lokma
Bartenders
Seth Freidus of Good Company | Boston
Peach: Aged Rum
Katie Weismann of Spoke | Somerville, MA
Ease & Comfort
Sommelier
Katie Hubbard of Pammy’s | Cambridge, MA
Chef Chris Willis’ Foie-Chicken Liver Mousse paired with gamay/poulsard Renard-Fache Cerdon du Bugey
Bakers
Alyssa and Teddy Applebaum of Elmendorf Baking Supplies | Cambridge, MA
Mushroom Handpie
Thomas Ferté of Michette | Somerville, MA
Spanikopita Croissant
Mentor
The 2024 class of Boston 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.
Cassie Piuma of Sarma | Somerville, MA
StarChefs Supports Spoonfuls
Melissa Steafanini of Buenas and Super Bien | Somerville and Boston, MA
Big Mac Empanada
