Will Blunt

A look at our latest magazine issue - celebrating the vibrant DC-Maryland-Richmond hospitality communities. 🙌🙏 Team @starchefs Design @rachel_a_krohn Cover Art @katiemcbrideart #starchefs #hospitality #richmond #dc #baltimore

Happy Easter 🐣💕

San Francisco Sister Alliance ❤️❤️

Looking forward to celebrating these inspiring hospitality leaders this week! Congrats to all the award winners - and a big thank you to team @starchefs for all the hard work and contributions that have helped make this awards class and magazine issue so exceptional. 🎉👊🙏 - @starchefs - Along the Chesapeake Bay, there is a bustling food and beverage culture meeting the moment and showing the world that there is more to the region than just blue crabs and bureaucracy. At every turn, instability and uncertainty gave way to creativity and innovation as we explored the hospitality communities of Baltimore, Washington D.C., and Richmond. Congrats to our 2026 Class of D.C.-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) Rising Stars! CHEFS Jason Chavenson of Maison Bar a Vins (DC) Julie Cortes of Kayu (DC) Alam Méndez of Apapacho Taqueria (DC) Ria Montes of Fish Shop (DC) Jarrad Silver of Silver & Sons BBQ (MD) Martel Stone of Dogon (DC) Robbie Tutlewski of Little Donna’s (BAL) GAME CHANGER (presented by @sanpellegrino_us ) Leah Branch of The Roosevelt (RVA) PASTRY CHEFS (presented by @tchochocolate )b Susan Bae of Moon Rabit (DC) Ana Sofía Pino of Lutèce BAKER (presented by @kingarthurbakingco ) Ashley Patino of Julio’s Bagels and Pizza Bones (RVA) BUTCHER Kyle Morse of The Mayor (RVA) ROASTER Kris Fulton of Sophomore Coffee (BAL) CONCEPT Keiller Kyle of Ovenbird Bakery (BAL) RESTAURATEUR Lane Harlan of W.C. Harlan, Clavel, Fadensonnen, and The Coral Wig (BAL) COMMUNITY (presented by @resy ) Deke Dunne of Allegory (DC) BARTENDERS (presented by @campariacademy_us ) Dre Levon of Clavel Mezcaleria (BAL) Samuel Nellis of Silver Lyan (DC) SOMMELIERS Grayum Vickers of The Brooklyn, Lillian, and Lost Letter (RVA) Eric Moorer of Gemini (DC) #hospitality #starchefs #communitylove

BEST PHOTOS OF 2025: SEATTLE (PART TWO)⁠ ⁠ In Seattle, we conducted our tastings throughout the summer months, when long days brought an abundance of sunlight and the city was at its most verdant. Everything, including the hospitality scene, felt alive with light, color, texture, and flavor. It was peak season for the city in many ways, including produce availability. In turn, the professionals we met made a clear effort to highlight what their purveyors had brought them. Warm sunlight streamed through windows during most of the long days we spent on the ground. Even when the sun wasn’t shining, Seattle’s signature cloud cover offered excellent soft light to work with.⁠ ⁠ The cuisines and flavors we experienced in this market were wide-ranging, as was the color palette. Asian, Spanish, French, Latin American, and Middle Eastern influences were all represented at a high level, to name just a few. Ultimately, though, what made Seattle special was the people themselves. Despite what we had heard about the “Seattle freeze,” we found a pillar of the PNW filled with professionals as inviting and caring as the food they prepare every day. Seattle proved to be a fitting market to round out a strong year—one that spanned the entire country.⁠ ⁠ 📸: Will Blunt and Alexander Zeren

Red Rock Canyon 👉 Day Moon - Pine Creek Canyon to Mescalito Pyramid - Wild Rhubarb - Manzanita - Burros 🫏 🫏 🫏 . . . . #redrockcanyon #hiking #rockclimbing #landscapes #lasvegas

BEST PHOTOS OF 2025: HOUSTON (PART TWO) Being one of the most diverse and international cities in the country, it should come as no surprise that Houston’s hospitality scene is equally varied and expansive. These photos add to the growing body of evidence that Houston’s culinary community is capable of going toe to toe with any city in the country. We saw strong influences from Latin America and the Gulf, alongside Southeast Asia and beyond. The city is truly a food lover’s dream, where even a little effort can lead to being spoiled for choice. We encountered bountiful seafood from the nearby coast and top-notch produce from the vast farmlands of the Lone Star State. Sunlight was also plentiful in this market; between that and the long days, we rarely needed artificial light to capture our subjects. Food arrived on custom plateware and in plastic baskets wrapped in paper, but whatever the vessel, the contents were consistently compelling. Beyond the standout flavors, there was an unmistakable sense of pride, care, and love behind every bite and sip. See next slide for additional photos. 📸: Will Blunt and Alexander Zeren

BEST PHOTOS OF 2025: HOUSTON (PART ONE) Being one of the most diverse and international cities in the country, it should come as no surprise that Houston’s hospitality scene is equally varied and expansive. These photos add to the growing body of evidence that Houston’s culinary community is capable of going toe to toe with any city in the country. We saw strong influences from Latin America and the Gulf, alongside Southeast Asia and beyond. The city is truly a food lover’s dream, where even a little effort can lead to being spoiled for choice. We encountered bountiful seafood from the nearby coast and top-notch produce from the vast farmlands of the Lone Star State. Sunlight was also plentiful in this market; between that and the long days, we rarely needed artificial light to capture our subjects. Food arrived on custom plateware and in plastic baskets wrapped in paper, but whatever the vessel, the contents were consistently compelling. Beyond the standout flavors, there was an unmistakable sense of pride, care, and love behind every bite and sip. See next slide for additional photos. 📸: Will Blunt and Alexander Zeren

BEST PHOTOS OF 2025: RUST BELT (PART TWO)⁠ ⁠ Welcome to the Rust Belt. The fact that most of these photos were taken in the winter into early spring reveals itself through the cooler tones in many of the images featured. Despite the cold, this may have been the best time to explore hospitality in the cities of Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. The hearty soul and rugged strength of the region shone even more brightly in the darker season. Many of the establishments we visited were transforming once-shuttered buildings into thriving brick-and-mortars, finding new life in repurposed and refurbished spaces. Hard industrial skeletons, softened by thoughtful design, are now being used by hospitality professionals to serve their local communities.⁠ ⁠ When the sun did shine, it offered moments of comforting warmth, not unlike the flavors we encountered throughout the market. Rising above this comforting palate, though, was a tangible sense of deep care for what was being delivered at the table and at the bar. Lighter flavors and colors were showcased, including seafood that could give coastal cities a run for their money—a welcome and pleasant surprise. The beverage scene was equally strong, across both cocktails and brewing, delivering depth of flavor and striking presentation that popped off the bar top (and into our mouths).⁠ ⁠ See previous slide for additional photos.⁠ ⁠ 📸: Will Blunt and Alexander Zeren

BEST PHOTOS OF 2025: RUST BELT (PART ONE) ⁠ ⁠ The fact that most of these photos were taken in the winter into early spring reveals itself through the cooler tones in many of the images featured. Despite the cold, this may have been the best time to explore hospitality in the cities of Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Detroit. The hearty soul and rugged strength of the region shone even more brightly in the darker season. Many of the establishments we visited were transforming once-shuttered buildings into thriving brick-and-mortars, finding new life in repurposed and refurbished spaces. Hard industrial skeletons, softened by thoughtful design, are now being used by hospitality professionals to serve their local communities.⁠ ⁠ When the sun did shine, it offered moments of comforting warmth, not unlike the flavors we encountered throughout the market. Rising above this comforting palate, though, was a tangible sense of deep care for what was being delivered at the table and at the bar. Lighter flavors and colors were showcased, including seafood that could give coastal cities a run for their money—a welcome and pleasant surprise. The beverage scene was equally strong, across both cocktails and brewing, delivering depth of flavor and striking presentation that popped off the bar top (and into our mouths).⁠ ⁠ See next slide for additional photos.⁠ ⁠ 📸: Will Blunt and Alexander Zeren

BEST PHOTOS OF 2025: SEATTLE (PART ONE)⁠ ⁠ In Seattle, we conducted our tastings throughout the summer months, when long days brought an abundance of sunlight and the city was at its most verdant. Everything, including the hospitality scene, felt alive with light, color, texture, and flavor. It was peak season for the city in many ways, including produce availability. In turn, the professionals we met made a clear effort to highlight what their purveyors had brought them. Warm sunlight streamed through windows during most of the long days we spent on the ground. Even when the sun wasn’t shining, Seattle’s signature cloud cover offered excellent soft light to work with.⁠ ⁠ The cuisines and flavors we experienced in this market were wide-ranging, as was the color palette. Asian, Spanish, French, Latin American, and Middle Eastern influences were all represented at a high level, to name just a few. Ultimately, though, what made Seattle special was the people themselves. Despite what we had heard about the “Seattle freeze,” we found a pillar of the PNW filled with professionals as inviting and caring as the food they prepare every day. Seattle proved to be a fitting market to round out a strong year—one that spanned the entire country.⁠ ⁠ 📸: Will Blunt and Alexander Zeren

BEST PHOTOS OF 2025: MIAMI (PART TWO) If you’d never considered Miami a culinary destination, this selection of photos will tell you everything the hospitality community in South Florida already knows. It’s proof that Miami puts forward true culinary prowess. The food and beverage professionals we met with presented plates and glasses as beautiful and lush as the tropical region itself. The palette of colors is as vibrant and saturated as it is varied and striking. To our delight, the prominent component of many of the dishes we were served was, perhaps naturally, seafood. Cities don’t get much more coastal than Miami, after all. Often harvested that day, the bounty of the ocean was undoubtedly top tier. No matter the ingredients showcased, each dish and drink demonstrated the visual excellence, striking flavors, and thoughtful textures coming out of the city’s kitchens, bakeries, and bars. See the previous slide for more photos. 📸: Will Blunt and Alexander Zeren