Luminous and Delicious - Seattle Rising Stars of 2020

Celebrating with the Musang and Archipelago Team

Earlier this week, professionals in Seattle’s culinary industry, gathered to celebrate, to honor, and to indulge. StarChefs awarded culinary and mixological prowess in more than ten different categories. We saw familiar faces, and new, among the award recipients and attendees. Throughout the evening, we reveled in a menagerie of tastes from caffeinated to fermented brews, sweet cakes to marinated smelt, crispy cucumbers to luscious scallops. We highlight our best bets.

Chef Shota Nakajima of Adana was awarded the Rising Star Community Award. It’s funny how a few simple words can transport you back to a distant memory. As we picked up Chef Shota’s Potato Mochi, with gratitude he said, “Thank you for waiting.” It was like being greeted by the chefs of Sushi Dai in Tokyo. With a buttery soft gnocci mochi and fragrant broth, we would easily wait for more. And we did. Multiple times. Chef Shota’s highly anticipated new restaurant will be opening soon. Connect with him on social media to find out when the doors officially open.

Jennifer Akin of Rumba concocted the smoothest delight to hit our lips with her Daiquiri de Plata composed of rum, lime, passionfruit, and chartruese. It’s not surprising Jennifer made us want to dance.

Chef Matsuko Soma of Kamonegi shined brilliantly as she was awarded a Rising Star Chef Award, won the Vitamix challenge, and the Steelite Art of Presentation Award for her Brie-stuffed Pork Katsu. Chef Matsuko operates on the basis of fun. As she zig-zagged her way to the stage to accept her awards, her energy emitted from her. Dare we say, like a glowing star?

Chef Aaron Verzosa of Amber Manuguid won a Rising Star Chef Award for Archipelago. Chef Aaron and Amber reimagine the world of fine dining and of defining an exclusive dining experience. To foster the intimate environment and leverage the best local ingredients, it’s one of the few experiences you get to share facetime with these masterful individuals.

Our cheeks flushed from the Cochinita Pibil Taco from Chef Ricardo Valdes of El Xolo and Raiz. Don’t let the small bite deter you. Chef Ricardo braised the pork until it deliciously fell apart and delivered both an aromatic and palatable punch. We haven’t had the honor of eating at El Xolo and Raiz yet and we’ll be seeing the team soon to eat more blue corn, handmade tortillas.

Almost a year after Melissa Miranda launched a Kickstarter campaign to welcome people home on Beacon Hill, Musang was awarded the Game Changer Rising Star Chef Award. After only a month and a half of being open, it’s truly astonishing to see results of passion, unyielding faith, and dedication come to fruition. On this evening, Chef Mel prepared her Adobong Pusit Pancit (Squid Ink Noodles). We envision this pancit making its mark in the world of noods.

We take every chance to share how an experience impacts us personally and this is no exception. Being present to witness five fellow Filipinx Americans earn recognition truly was an honor. For generations, young and old, they represent how far the Filipinx community has come. They represent how we embrace ad cultivate diversity. These are the chefs shaping the future of America’s culinary landscape. Read more about the winners and take pride in the culinary luminaries we have right in our own backyard!