These chefs bring the latest in techniques, flavors and passion to the dining scene, just as earlier groundbreakers started some 45 years ago.
A new era for the awards, considered the Oscars of the restaurant world, brought more focus on chefs outside the major cities of New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco. It was well beyond time the spotlight made it to New England and other regions developing great culinary talent.
In 2011, Champe Speidel of Persimmon, then in Bristol and now in Providence, and Matt Jennings of the former La Laiterie in Providence, were among the 20 semifinalists for Best Chef: Northeast. The now-closed Cook & Brown Public House, owned by Nemo Bolin, made the Best New Restaurant list.