“Thanks for choosing me as Philadelphia's Rising Star Mixologist back in 2004. It's been a great honor and has snow-balled quite a bit for me in terms of confidence and exposure. While I have turned my attention toward writing fiction and graduate school, tending bar remains my main source of income and camaraderie.”
--Joel Finsel, Caffe Phoenix, 2004 Philadelphia Rising Star Mixologist

“I live and love this challenging industry, and to celebrate with Starchefs is an honor that does not come around so often. You see our industry through a pair of glasses that see the truth - gut level dedication and commitment to the growth and constant evolution of our craft. You can’t teach passion, but you sure can inspire it. You have done that for my small group of dedicated troops, and for that I thank you.”
--Chef Jeff O’Neill, Mar-a-Lago Club, 2008 South Florida Rising Stars Host Chef

“The entire experience was wonderful not only for me, but my team as well. They learned a lot and left feeling inspired to work creatively and tastefully to one day become a StarChef themselves – I was really happy to be able to bring many of them to the South Florida Rising Stars and broaden their horizons.”
--Chef Ryan Artim, The Ritz-Carlton Palm Beach, 2008 South Florida Rising Stars VIP Host Chef

“I think the Rising Star Revue is the best tasting event I have ever been to. Many tasting events can be kind of a mob scene and StarChefs pulls them off with a high level of class and great attention to detail.” --Gretchen Twill, Devi Tea, 2006 Washington DC Rising Stars Sponsor

“The Revue was one of the most memorable and important events in my culinary career so far... Thank you again so much for recognizing me!”
--2006 Los Angeles Rising Star Lee Gross

“It was a ‘stellar’ event...no pun intended. Excellent food. Interesting wines. Lovely space. One of the finest I've experienced.”
--Marilyn LaRoque, Luxury Las Vegas

“…Thank you all for a wonderful event. You are certainly doing good things for good people and allowing the general public to become aware of the true (behind the scenes talent) that happens in Las Vegas.” --Les Kincaid, Radio Personality and Host of "Les Kincaid's Lifestyles Las Vegas” on KLAV 1230 AM

“This was a phenomenal event, and beautifully organized….Thank you so much for inviting me.” --Barbara Nosek, Journalist for Desert Living (Phoenix), and "Live in Fabulous Las Vegas" Newsletter

“It was a great event...I didn’t realize it was such a big deal, and if you bring it back here next year, be sure to let me know so we can give you some advance ink.”
--Martin Stein, A&E Editor, Las Vegas Weekly

“The honor was all mine. I truly enjoyed Rising Stars, the food, fine wines and great GREAT company!” --Sarah Lee Marks, Author, Reservations Required…The Celebrity Chefs of Las Vegas Cookbook