These young Miami chefs were just crowned best in the city
Miami's newest culinary stars aren't just cooking great food—they're shaping the future of the city's dining scene. Twenty-four of the most exciting chefs, pastry chefs, bakers, bartenders, sommeliers and restaurateurs have just been named the 2025 StarChefs Miami Rising Stars, earning national recognition for their creativity, leadership and deep ties to the community.
Estefania Andrade of Trippy Kitchen is turning heads with her stacked churrasco steak sandwich, while Tam Pham of Tâm Tâm is serving an unforgettable massaman goat curry. Meanwhile, Maria Teresa Gallina and Nicolas Martinez of Recoveco are drawing crowds with their spiced golden chicken, and Juan Manuel Umbert is putting a luxe spin on handmade pasta at PASTA. And that's just the beginning.
Each Rising Star was handpicked after in-person tastings and interviews with over 100 Miami hospitality pros, evaluated on national standards for innovation, presentation, ambition and, of course, incredible food and drink creations.
As StarChefs managing partner Will Blunt put it: 'Hospitality professionals in Miami are successfully representing the city's dynamic cultures and communities with respect and intention. As the focus shifts west—beyond the beach—a new generation of chefs, bartenders, sommeliers and restaurateurs are thinking locally by emphasizing South Florida produce, catering to year-round residents, and embracing Miami's global influences while paying homage to the industry leaders who have come before them.'
Want a taste? You're in luck: from May 7–21, StarChefs will host Miami Rising Stars Restaurant Week, spotlighting the winners with special dishes at their restaurants, and donating $3 from every featured item sold to Rethink Food.
Miami's dining scene suddenly feels ever fresher than usual.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time Out
6 days ago
- Time Out
These Miami restaurants are letting you pay with mangoes—yes, really
It's officially mango madness in Miami—and this year, the city's favorite fruit isn't just filling smoothies and pastelitos. It's footing the bill. That's right: A handful of Miami restaurants are now accepting ripe, locally grown mangoes as literal currency. In a sweet (and slightly surreal) twist on farm-to-table, you can now trade your backyard bounty for wings, cocktails, soft-serve and scoops of ice cream, no wallet required, reports the Miami New Times. The initiative, which runs through the end of June, taps into the city's long-standing mango mania, when South Florida's trees go absolutely bonkers and locals are practically swimming in surplus fruit. If you're looking for spots where you can make it rain mangoes, start in Coconut Grove or Key Biscayne. Narbona is offering a scoop of creamy mango gelato in exchange for four unblemished mangoes (fist-size or bigger). One scoop per person per day is allotted, so choose your moment wisely. Over in Miami Shores, Peel is letting fruit-laden guests swap five pounds of mangoes for a small bowl of its signature banana-based soft serve, topped with up to two extras. But don't bring your whole tree—the shop's capped mango 'payments' at 20 pounds per person. (Yes, someone did try.) Feeling spicy? Head downtown to Tomorrowland, where bartenders are mixing up free "Spicy Nikki" cocktails—think jalapeño-pineapple tequila, agave, lime and mango purée—for anyone who brings in fresh, intact mangoes. It's a $14 value, but who's counting when your payment came from a tree in your yard? For something savory, Tâm Tâm is going tropical-Vietnamese with a barter deal that trades five pounds of mangoes for a plate of sticky, fish sauce-glazed wings. The crowd-favorite wings are topped with crispy garlic, cilantro and lime. And if you want to cool down the old-fashioned way, swing by South Miami's beloved Whip 'n Dip Ice Cream Shoppe, which is reviving its 'Mango Swap' for another year. Drop off your excess mangoes and you'll be rewarded with scoops made from the very fruit you just donated. Talk about local flavor.
Scottish Sun
14-06-2025
- Scottish Sun
Bobby Brazier has ‘become a Hare Krishna' and ‘seeks solace' in the daily spiritual rituals after mum Jade's death
Friends say Bobby's interest in spirituality has grown over the past year bobby dazzler Bobby Brazier has 'become a Hare Krishna' and 'seeks solace' in the daily spiritual rituals after mum Jade's death Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BOBBY Brazier has 'become a Hare Krishna' and is 'seeking solace' in daily spiritual rituals following the death of his mum, Jade Goody. Strictly finalist Bobby, 22, has become a regular at the Hare Krishna temple in Soho, where he takes part in communal prayers, chants mantras and helps prepare meals. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 5 Bobby Brazier has 'become a Hare Krishna' and is 'seeking solace' in daily spiritual rituals following the death of his mum, Jade Goody Credit: Instagram 5 Last year, Bobby joined in cha-cha-chanting at a Hare Krishna gathering on Oxford Street Credit: Splash Friends say Bobby's interest in spirituality has grown over the past year and is helping him process the lasting impact of losing his mum to cervical cancer in 2009, when he was just five. A volunteer at the temple told MailOnline: 'He's here every Saturday without fail. He joins our kitchen session, learns the prayers – this isn't a gimmick.' A family friend added: 'Bobby had a difficult life. His mum dying left a mark on him, as it would. Hare Krishna is somewhere he seeks solace. It might seem strange, but for him, it works.' Last year, The Sun published images of Bobby joining in cha-cha-chanting at a Hare Krishna gathering on Oxford Street, where he was even seen handing out leaflets. Bobby - whose dad is TV star Jeff Brazier - said of the movement: 'I've had the blessing of meeting some incredible devotees who have really taken me under the wing and been really merciful upon me. "And they are just the most beautiful, happy, content, smart, intelligent people.' After Jade's death, Bobby and younger brother Freddy, 20, were raised away from the spotlight. At 16, Bobby was scouted by a modelling agent during a trip to a local coffee shop and quickly signed to a major agency. He later walked the runway for Dolce & Gabbana and Tommy Hilfiger and joined EastEnders as Freddie Slater. In 2023, he won the National Television Award for Rising Star and finished as a finalist on Strictly the same year. Huge EastEnders star to QUIT soap after four years 'to look for other opportunities' And he appeared in the Paramount+ drama Curfew last year. Bobby is also set to inherit £250,000 from Jade's estate when he turns 25. A spokesperson for the trust said: 'Everything was agreed before Jade passed away – there have been payments for agreed education or healthcare, but no other withdrawals until the boys turn 25. "Even years after she passed, Jade has been able to provide for them, which is what she always wanted.' Last week, The Sun on Sunday revealed Bobby would be leaving EastEnders after four years. The actor and model has received a wave of work offers since being a runner up on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. Bobby, Freddie Slater in the BBC soap, will exit Albert Square later this year. An EastEnders spokeswoman said: 'We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.' A telly insider revealed: 'Bosses had a meeting with Bobby only recently as they had a plan in mind for a storyline, and it just so happened that Bobby was also thinking that now was the right time to look for other opportunities outside the show. 'The timing of the decision worked for both, but his final scenes are not for a while yet. 'The character has had a great run, but the time is now right for Bobby to look for other opportunities, and for EastEnders to wave goodbye to Freddie Slater.' 5 Bobby and his brother Freddy are pictured with the late Jade Goody in 2006 Credit: PA:Press Association 5 Bobby's dad is TV star Jeff Brazier Credit: Rex
Daily Record
09-06-2025
- Daily Record
EastEnders star to quit BBC soap after four years 'to look for other opportunities'
Bobby Brazier who plays Freddie Slater in EastEnders is set to leave the iconic BBC soap in by the end of the year. Bobby Brazier is set to leave Albert Square as his time on EastEnders is over after a four-year stint. The actor and model, known for his role as Freddie Slater, has gained a lot of attraction and offers following his time on Strictly Come Dancing in 2023 where he finished runner-up. The 22-year-old's exit from Walford is scheduled for later this year, the Mirror reports. As an EastEnders spokesperson confirmed: "We can confirm that Bobby Brazier will be leaving EastEnders, and we wish him all the best for the future.' A source close to the show, told The Sun: "Bosses recently met with Bobby to discuss a potential storyline, but Bobby felt this was the right moment to explore new ventures beyond the series. "The timing aligned perfectly for both parties. Although his final scenes are some time away, the character has enjoyed a strong run, and now is the time for Bobby to pursue fresh opportunities while EastEnders bids farewell to Freddie Slater." Bobby's departure from EastEnders comes amid a wave of bold casting moves by new executive producer Ben Wadey, who's reviving the drama by bringing back fan favourites including Michelle Ryan (Zoe Slater), Jake Wood (Max Branning), and Max Bowden (Ben Mitchell). At the same time, Lacey Turner is taking a break from her iconic role as Stacey Slater. Since joining the soap as Freddie Slater back in 2022, Bobby has gone on to win the National Television Award for Rising Star as well as appearing on Curfew a Paramount+ drama while continuing to film for the BBC soap. Clearly enjoying his craft, Bobby recently revealed: 'I love my job. I love being on EastEnders and I love modelling. But I'll probably take a break at some point. Just travel, get inspired, meet new people." Looking back on his journey, the once-reserved 22 year old admitted that fame hasn't always felt natural - particularly during his time on Strictly Come Dancing, when he initially "wanted to get voted off." Bobby connects his unease in the spotlight back to the loss of his mother, Jade Goody, who passed away when he was only five years old. "I don't want to be famous. Maybe I did when I was younger. Now I just want to act," he candidly shared. His EastEnders storyline saw Freddie mistakenly believe Billy Mitchell was his father, leading to an emotional and intense confrontation - an early sign that Bobby had the ability to "blow us away" with his raw and honest performances. He later took on a deeply personal journey exploring ADHD representation. One standout scene - where Freddie confronted a former teacher and revisited his past school trauma. Fans praised the depth of his emotional portrayal, capturing the character's grief and anger in a way that resonated both on and off screen. In a powerful 2023 storyline, Freddie defended Stacey Slater from a violent assault attempt by Theo Hawthorne. In the gripping performance that left viewers in tears and earned widespread praise, he attacked Theo with an iron. More recently, Freddie uncovered the harrowing truth that his biological father is Graham Foster - his mother's attacker. The storyline delved into Freddie's emotional turmoil and determination as he seeks out Graham at a car dealership. In the heart-wrenching scenes that followed, Freddie made the decision to firmly cut ties with Graham leaving viewers deeply moved by the emotional moment.
