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

[icon name=”link”] Swifty’s / Miss Sydney’s

Brian Molino

[icon name=”link”] Mazzone Hospitality

Matt Joyce

[icon name=”link”] Prime at the Plaza / Mazzone Hospitality

Michael Hinrichs

[icon name=”link”] Albany Capital Center / Mazzone Hospitality

Ric Orlando

[icon name=”link”] New World Bistro Bar

Michael Mastrantuono

[icon name=”link”] 15 Church

Jaime Ortiz

[icon name=”link”] Angelo’s 677 Prime

Jim Rua

[icon name=”link”] Café Capriccio

Courtney Withey

[icon name=”link”] Schenectady County Community College

Yono Purnomo

[icon name=”link”] Yono’s / dp an American Brasserie

Mark D. Graham

[icon name=”link”] 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

[icon name=”link”] Provence

Hector Aquino,
Executive Sous Chef

[icon name=”link”] Grano

Colin Miner,
Chef de Cuisine

[icon name=”link”] Park 26

Harley Bleitzhofer,
Executive Chef

[icon name=”link”] The Hollow Bar + Kitchen

Seth Corey,
Owner

[icon name=”link”] SALT: American Bistro & Wine Bar

Kevin Myers,
Chef / Owner

[icon name=”link”] Ribbon Cafe

James Hughes,
Sous Chef

[icon name=”link”] 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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© 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.