The newest class of Rising Stars will be showcased at the StarChefs.com Rising Stars Gala on Tuesday, February 25, 2014, at the Muhammad Ali Center beginning with an Awards Ceremony at 6:30pm and followed by a Tasting Gala from 7pm to 9:30pm.

The walk-around tasting gala will give attendees the opportunity to experience 15 of Kentucky and Tennessee's top chefs and restaurants with beverage pairings and cocktails by our winning sommelier and mixologists, in one location, for one night only. General Admission tickets are $85 per person. VIP tickets are $115 and include a private VIP Reception with sparkling wine and Petrossian Caviar, beginning at 5:45pm.

Kentucky-Tennessee 2014 Rising Star Winners:

Chefs

Matt Gallaher of Knox Mason (Knoxville, TN)

Feautured Dish: Potato Gnocchi, Mushrooms, Sea Island Red Peas, Arugula, and Cruze Creme Fraiche

Michael Hudman and Andrew Ticer of Hog & Hominy (Memphis, TN)

Featured Dish: Collared Greens, 'Nduja, Pork Belly Ends, Hominy, and Pepper Vinegar

Philip Krajeck of Rolf and Daughters (Nashville, TN)

Keri Moser of IvyWild (Sewanee, TN)

Featured Dish: Smoked Salmon, Cracked Wheat, Black Barley, Elberton Blue Cheese, Tomatillos, Romanesco, and Chamomile-Lemon Aioli

Annie Pettry of Decca (Lousiville, KY)

Featured Dish: Grilled Carrots, Carrot Puree, Pickled Carrots, Carrot Top OIl, Buttermilk Ricotta, Brown Butter Egg Yolk, and Kale Furikake

Levon Wallace of Proof on Main (Louisville, KY)

Featured Dish: Australian Wagyu Carpaccio, Horseradish, Oyster Mushrooms, Squash Pickles and Seeds, Nasturtiums, and Ranch Dressing

Pastry Chef

Kayla Swartout of Capitol Grille (Nashville, TN)

Featured Dish: Chocolate Root Beer Cake, Boylan's Red Birch Beer Sorbet, Ginger Marshmallow, Cherry Sphere, and Cherry Pearls

Artisans

Ham Maker Jay Denham of Curehouse (Louisville, KY)

Featured Dish: Mountain Ham

Roaster James Tooill of Argo Sons (Louisville, KY)

Featured Coffee: Ethiopia Yirgacheffe, Gelana Abaya, Natural Process

Chocolate Maker Scott Witherow of Olive and Sinclair (Nashville, TN)

Featured Dish: Smoked Nib Brittle and Assorted Chocolates

Sommelier

Julie DeFriend of Oakroom at The Seelbach Hilton (Louisville,KY)

Beverage Pairings with Winners' Dishes

Mixologists

Doug Monroe of Patterson House (Nashville, TN)

Featured Drink: Lazy Maisie: Zwack, Creme de Cacao, Cinnamon Syrup, Lillet Rouge, Louisianne-infused Gordon's Gin, Lemon Bitters, and Fee Brothers Old Fashioned Bitters

Susie Hoyt of The Silver Dollar (Louisville, KY)

Featured Drink: Autumn Leaves: Wild Turkey 101 Bourbon, Ramazzotti, Antica Formula 1786, and Lime Juice

Brewers

Sam Cruz and Jerry Gnagy of Against the Grain Bewery (Louisville, KY)

Featured Beer: Wrath of the Krauth of Khan, Smoked Bockbier

Restaurateurs

Benjamin and Max Goldberg of Strategic Hospitality (Nashville, TN)

Concept

David Mitchell of Mitchell Deli (Nashville, TN)

Featured Dish: Reuben: Australian Corned Beef, Sauerkraut, Russian Dressing, Swiss, and Silkes Light Rye

Sustainability

Matt Lackey of Flyte World Dining and Wine (Nashville, TN)

Featured Dish: Trio of Beets: Cured, Forgotten, and Pickled Beets with House Ham and Dill Sauce

VIP Host Chef

Patrick Roney of Oak Room at The Seelbach Hilton (Louisville, KY)

Featured Dish: Smoked Australian Lamb Rack and Grenache-braised Shank, Winter Mushrooms, and Oregon Truffles