The professional kitchen is a team environment, full of unsung heroes– the working cooks who make it all possible. Every well-known chef has risen to the top of the profession with guidance and training from others. They have been mentored, prodded, encouraged, taught a skill, given a first job or a second chance.

Today, Chef Celebration Foundation of San Diego is passing on this tradition of learning and support to San Diego’s rising stars.

2006

Mike Englund

Jeff Heavey

2005

Justin Huntington

Mike Davis

2004

Violette Tafoya

Lillian Truong

Dan Tyrell

2003

Collin Wehner

David Campbell

Jerec Delfino

2002

Desiree Jones

Andrew Bard

Tarica Robbins

Michael Carey

Daniel Touchard

Aron Schwartz

Jose Perez

Jesus Morales

Benito Mirafuentes

2001

Ryan DeGoursey

Patrick J. Roy

Polly Sang

Robert Relaford

Dana Hangauer

Christopher Hasey

Jody Ann Ritacco

Margaret Barre

Rachel McElhaney

Lucy M. Price

2000

Ngoc Ai Van

Danielle Helm

Carmen Kessing

Jenna Lipska

Hugo Lee

1999

Ivan Christopher Blauw

Humberto Bahena

Jose DeLeon

Demetrio Diaz

Omar Hernandez

Jeffrey Hurlbut

Damaso Lee

Michelle Mah

Steven McGee

Jhonathan Mitchell

1998

Mark Max Elfmann

Sara P. DeFalco

Hanis Cavin

Don Ramsdale

Josh McGinnis

Armando Morales

Denise Roa

Felix Renteria

Jeffrey Thomas

1997

Gregory Joseph