Meet the 2023 class of Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars

Meet a few Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars: Kareem El-Ghayesh , Amanda Turner, Rich Reimbolt, Casandra Perez-Martinez, and Rania Zayyat.

Photos courtesy of StarChefs

We’re starstruck. Restaurant industry magazine StarChefs named its 2023 Austin-San Antonio Rising Stars across eight categories.

The 16 winners are chosen by StarChef editorial staff out of 100+ chefs, bartenders, and tastemakers in the area. This is the third class from Austin-San Antonio.

To celebrate, StarChefs will host Rising Stars Restaurant Week Friday, Dec. 1-Friday, Dec. 15, giving locals a chance to taste signature bites from the winners.

Chefs

Kareem El-Ghayesh | KG BBQ
Geoff Ellis | Mum Foods Smokehouse and Delicatessen
Rich Reimbolt | Better Half Coffee & Cocktails
Keith Rzepecki | Hestia
Amanda Turner | Olamaie

Game Changers

Arjav Ezekiel and Tracy Malechek-Ezekiel | Birdie’s

Community

Edgar Rico | Nixta Taqueria

Concept

Brian Batch and Ryan McElroy | Bird Bird Biscuit

Pastry Chefs

Derrick Flynn | Este and Suerte
Casandra Perez-Martinez | Comedor

Bartender

Erin Ashford | Holiday

Sommeliers

Alex Wheatley Bell | Aviary Wine & Kitchen
Rania Zayyat | Bufalina

Artisans

Ben and Phoebe Hollander | Casper Fermentables
Will Jaquiss | Meanwhile Brewing Co .

View the full list .

Facebook
Twitter
Nextdoor
Email

Laura Figi

Laura Figi has called Austin home for more than 12 years and has been known to say it’s her “favorite city in the world.” A proud graduate of Texas State University, she’s been working in local news since 2020. When she’s not working and learning about the community, you can find her at the local thrift shop, spending time with her two cats, or listening to live music.