John Poiarkoff of The Pines — Young Guns Nominee 2013

Eater Young Guns semi-finalist John Poiarkoff landed a job at The Modern restaurant in Midtown Manhattan straight out of culinary school (FCI) and swiftly worked his way up to a sous chef position. After five years at the restaurant he joined chef Angelo Romano's eight month-old eccentric, modern and heavily praised Brooklyn restaurant The Pines, where he is second in command, has a say in many of the dishes, and contributes to the cocktail list.