Chefs & Restaurants

2020 Signature Chefs

Headliners for the Grand Gala Reception & Dinner and participating in the Grand Tasting, these Chefs have had an iconic presence in the Capital Region, maintaining the highest standards of culinary excellence in their restaurants. They have all committed to the community with participation in hundreds of charitable events between them.

AJ Jayapal

  Swifty’s / Miss Sydney’s

Brian Molino

  Mazzone Hospitality

Matt Joyce

  Prime at the Plaza / Mazzone Hospitality

Michael Hinrichs

  Albany Capital Center / Mazzone Hospitality

Ric Orlando

  New World Bistro Bar

Michael Mastrantuono

  15 Church

Jaime Ortiz

  Angelo’s 677 Prime

Jim Rua

  Café Capriccio

Courtney Withey

  Schenectady County Community College

Yono Purnomo

  Yono’s / dp an American Brasserie

Mark D. Graham

  David Burke’s Salt & Char

2020 Rising Star Chef Winners

Congratulations to our Rising Star Chefs!

 

 

Rising Star Chefs Must Meet Any 2 Of The Following Criteria:

  • Chef/Owner of a Restaurant that is under 2 years in operation
  • Chef that is using innovative techniques (i.e molecular gastronomy) in food production
  • First Time Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef
  • Chef has demonstrated a commitment to community service
  • Chef that demonstrates originality & creativity in menu design
  • Chefs that promote and utilize local produce and ingredients whenever possible
The new 2020 Rising Star Chefs will be featured at the Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival timesunion.com/Table Hopping Rising Star Chef Pavilion on January 17th and 18th.

 

The public was able to vote on their top chef over the course of four weeks, while Board Members took turns performing unannounced tastings at the various chefs’ restaurants. All the votes and tasting grades were tabulated to announce this year’s winners:
Raymond Galka,
Chef de Partie

  Provence

Hector Aquino,
Executive Sous Chef

  Grano

Colin Miner,
Chef de Cuisine

  Park 26

Harley Bleitzhofer,
Executive Chef

  The Hollow Bar + Kitchen

Seth Corey,
Owner

  SALT: American Bistro & Wine Bar

Kevin Myers,
Chef / Owner

  Ribbon Cafe

James Hughes,
Sous Chef

  The Adelphi Hotel

Click here to view past winners.

Featured Restaurants

…check back soon for more… 

Alex Pineau | 110 Grill

Jaime Ortiz | Angelo’s 677 Prime

Lisa Valentine | Abrookin CTE

Athos

Ian O’Leary | C.H. Evans Brewing Co. at The Albany Pump Station

Robert Haggerty | Capitol Melts

Café  Calabria

Cider Belly Doughnuts

Linda Smith | Divinitea  
 

Honest Weight Food Co-Op

Mazzone Hospitality

AJ Jayapal | Miss Sydney’s / Swifty’s Restaurant & Pub

Ric Orlando | New World Bistro Bar

Dan Gordon | Nicole’s Restaurant

Melissa Gleason | Nothing Bundt Cakes

Park 26 at the Queensbury Hotel

Anna Louisa Weisheit | Public House 42

Franco Frustaci | Radici

Joe Braoudakis | Roux

Ruggiero Hospitality at 60 State

Season’s Catering

The Bishop  

The Point Restaurant and Lounge BMT

Joseph Schulte | Toro Cantina

Ariel Robinson | Umana Restaurant & Wine Bar

Craig Wander | We Do Fondue

Andrew Barrett | Wellington’s  

Dan Raymond | Zachary’s Pastry Shoppe 

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Vision & Objectives
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© 2019 Albany Food & Wine Festival, Inc. The Albany Food & Wine Festival, Inc. is an approved NY 501C3.
Empire Merchants North is the exclusive wine and spirots sponsor of the Albany Chefs’ Food & Wine Festival. Please drink responsibly.