The culinary stars continue to align for Las Vegas.
On Monday, StarChefs, the national restaurant industry publication that identifies and celebrates hospitality talent, announced its 2026 class of Las Vegas Rising Stars — leading chefs, restaurateurs, a pastry chef and a baker, a brewer, bartenders, sommeliers and an important mentor, 20 in all.
The announcement followed a constellation of culinary recognition for Vegas in recent years, including World’s 50 Best and North America’s 50 Best awards ceremonies, the return of the Michelin Guide, national media attention for Vegas steakhouses and Hawaiian food, a record-setting 14 James Beard Award semifinalist nominations in 2026, and the Strip restaurant debut by one of the most lauded you chefs of his generation.
On Monday, StarChefs also announced Las Vegas Rising Stars Restaurant Week, May 6 through 20, which will showcase the winners and offer diners the opportunity to try signature dishes and beverages. The 2026 class marks the first time the StarChefs team has visited Vegas since 2008. Why so long away?
“It seemed to move into more of a licensing, lend-your-name era,” Will Blunt, managing partner of StarChefs, said of the time about 20 years ago when celebrity chefs consolidated their presence on the Strip. “Maybe we’ve been remiss. Today, there is a fully formed hospitality community off Strip that plays well with what’s happening on the Strip.
“I felt like it was overdue, for sure,” Blunt continued about the visit. “Las Vegas is a worthy culinary community.”
And the Rising Stars are …
Here are the 20 Risings Stars in various categories. The honorees are profiled (including recipes for dishes and beverages) in the Vegas issues of the awards at starchefs.com/risingstars/2026/las-vegas. The honorees also are pictured in the image carousel at top.
CHEFS
Scott Arn and Ramtin Yashar of Golden Boy Market & Deli
Dylan Jobsz of Esther’s Kitchen
Aaron Lee of Winnie & Ethel’s Downtown Diner
Daniela Romero of Bazaar Mar by José Andrés
Jackson Stamper of Ada’s
PASTRY CHEF
Jackie Mai of Don’s Prime in the Fontainebleau
BAKER
Andrea McLean of PopNpies
GAME CHANGER
Sarah Thompson of Casa Playa in Wynn Las Vegas
RESTAURATEUR
D.J. Flores of Nivel Hospitality Group
COMMUNITY
Dani and Alex White and Cameron White of Yukon Gold Pizza
CONCEPT
Jerad Howard of Vesta Coffee Roasters
BREWER
Megan Hanley of Able Baking Brewing Co.
BARTENDERS
Joe Arakawa of EDO Hospitality
Kat Calma of The Dustland Bar
SOMMELIERS
Joshua Dunson of Ocean Prime in 63 CityCenter
Cristie Norman of Delilah in Wynn Las Vegas
MENTOR
Jolene Mannina of Fortune Events
How Rising Stars are chosen
Every year, StarChefs showcases four major culinary markets in the U.S. The team came to Vegas three times in the past six months, Blunt said, drawing recommendations on which restaurants to visit from StarChefs alums and people with culinary connection to the city. Unlike Michelin inspectors and James Beard judges, StarChefs team members announce their visits.
“We are trying to get to know them,” Blunt said of potential winners and their food and drink outlets. “We’re looking for exceptional on the plate, in the glass, a layer of community engagement and leadership, and folks who are committed to the industry. Anything that’s done well is exciting and worth sharing.”
In Vegas (as in other markets), the StarChefs team conducted more than 100 in-person interviews and tastings with food and drink professionals, selecting classes that “best represent the future of American hospitality.” The 2026 Vegas winners are the 96th class of Rising Stars and the third class from Vegas.
Contact Johnathan L. Wright at [email protected]. Follow @JLWTaste on Instagram.