From rising stars in the food world to seasoned pros, the country’s culinary elite gathered together last night in celebration of Food & Wine’s 2011 Best New Chefs. Held uptown at the Bohemian National Hall, the elegant affair welcomed in the latest roster of up-and-comers, while past Best New Chefs Tom Colicchio (1991), Rocco DiSpirito (1999), Missy Robbins (2010), Michael Anthony (2002), Jonathan Benno (2006) and Top Chef Season 7 winner Kevin Sbraga tempted guests with appetizing dishes—including foie gras soup with pear and roses, spice roasted duck with ramps and leek-black bread pudding, a delicate medley of mussels, chips and dip, and creamy Taleggio fonduta with roasted onion and semolina sesame toast.

Bohemian National Hall set the scene for the Best New Chefs celebration (image courtesy of MetroMix)

During the night, partygoers mingled with celebrity chefs and the industry’s finest, enjoyed cocktails and Gallo wines, listened to live music and eagerly anticipated the winner announcement ceremony. Now, introducing the 2011 Food & Wine Best New Chefs:

Food & Wine’s 2011 Best New Chefs (image courtesy of MetroMix)

In addition to these very talented ten, Beantown’s own Jamie Bissonnette snagged the People’s Best New Chef Award for his champion nose-to-tail cooking techniques at enoteca Coppa (Boston, MA). After the soiree came to a close, the festivities continued at Geoffrey Zakarian’s hotel hotspot, The National, where guests sipped spicy gin mules, snacked on charcuterie and celebrated the new all-star culinary class.

Thanks again to Editor in Chief Dana Cowin, Publisher Christina Grdovic and the entire Food & Wine staff for a truly memorable evening. Wishing many congrats to all the 2011 Best New Chefs!

For additional imagery, observations and coverage of the event, check out Eater, The Feast, Daily Blender and Metromix.