This year, Alter's Brad Kilgore joins the ranks of these celebrated toques who have helped develop and shape the restaurant community.
Food & Wine editor Nilou Motamed says his magazine's editorial staff is "obsessed with finding new talent, and the 'Best New Chefs' platform showcases that perfectly. We’re honored to give these incredible cooks the recognition they deserve, an award that has catapulted so many careers and will change these chefs' lives forever.”
Each year, the culinary magazine accepts nominations for the Best New Chef title from restaurant critics, food writers, and other experts. In a process spanning several months, Food & Wine editors then travel the country to visit the nominated restaurants and taste the food. The editorial staff looks for talented chefs who have been in charge of a kitchen for five years or fewer.
Food & Wine specifically called out Kilgore's barely poached local egg with Italian truffle pearls as his standout dish. On why Kilgore is amazing, Food & Wine says:
"In an unassuming concrete building, in Miami’s up-and-coming Wynwood neighborhood, Kilgore is serving some of the country’s most brilliant and playful dishes. His version of cassoulet features mahi-mahi, with rye bread, smoked white beans, and serrano ham jus."
Alter opened in May 2015 and in less than a year has already gained national acclaim. Both the restaurant and Chef Kilgore were semifinalists for this year's James Beard Awards, and the restaurant was listed as one of the "100 Best Wine Restaurants 2015" by Wine Enthusiast.
Kilgore represents Miami Beach well. All other restaurants on the list come from more established food cities, such as New York, Chicago, and San Francisco. The other ten Best New Chef recipients are as follows:
- David Barzelay, Lazy Bear, San Francisco
- Kevin Fink, Emmer & Rye, Austin
- Michael Gulotta,
MoPho and Tana, New Orleans - Edouardo Jordan,
Salare , Seattle - Ravi Kapur, Liholiho Yacht Club, San Francisco
- Iliana Regan, Elizabeth and Bunny, the Micro Bakery, Chicago
- Aaron Silverman, Rose's Luxury and Pineapple and Pearls, Washington, D.C.
- Jeremiah Stone & Fabián von Hauske, Contra and
Wildair , New York City - Kris Yenbamroong, Night + Market and Night + Market Song, Los Angeles
