Announcing Eater's Young Guns Semifinalists for 2015

After months of poring over hundreds of nominations, interviewing chefs, grilling local Eater editors, and examining supporting material, the shortlist for the 2015 class of Eater Young Guns is complete and ready for its debut. The only real question is: Are you ready?

As previously mentioned, Eater Young Guns aims to identify the most promising up-and-coming talent in the restaurant industry, whether they're working as chefs or line cooks, wine and cocktail pros, restaurateurs, or maître d's. The criteria are simple. Nominees must be under 30 years of age (or have worked in their chosen field for less than five years) and must be currently employed in the hospitality industry in the United States. They must show extraordinary promise.

Some will be complete unknowns and others perhaps have enjoyed a hint of public attention already. All will have distinguished themselves in the eyes of co-workers, chefs, customers, and the Young Guns selection committee. Starting next week, Eater will present profiles of many of the 50, giving a look at why they stand out now and how they hope to make their mark in the future. And in June, our Young Guns Class of 2015 will be unveiled. The list includes a number of chefs, bar professionals, restaurateurs, as well as a single cheese director, a chocolatier, a barbecue chef — keep reading to see them all.

1. Daniel Amighi, sous chef at La Brasa/culinary director at Further Food Stuffs, Somerville, MA

2. Bryan Baker, head baker, The Eveleigh, Los Angeles

3. Brian Baxter, chef de cuisine, Husk Nashville, Nashville

4. Paolo Bendez'u, executive chef, Blue Plate Oysterette, Los Angeles

5. Tyler Bienvenu, sous chef, Joe's Stone Crab, Miami Beach

6. Luis Brignoni, founder/president, Wynwood Brewing Company, Miami

7. Erica Catubig, sommelier/assistant wine buyer, Loulay, Seattle

8. Rachel DelRocco, beverage director, Qui, Austin

9. Angela Dimayuga, executive chef, Mission Chinese Food, New York

10. Sebastian Dumonet, director of operations, Joel Robuchon Restaurants, Las Vegas

11. Chrissy Durcak, founder, Dispatch Coffee, Montreal

12. Sara Hauman, chef, Huxley, San Francisco

13. Christopher Hathcock, executive chef, Gan Shan Station, Asheville

14. Dean Hildebrand, Zahav Restaurant, Philadelphia

15. Deuki Hong, executive chef, Kang Ho Dong Baekjong, New York

16. Mary Ting Hyatt, baker/owner, Bagelsaurus, Cambridge

17. Ryan Fox, executive chef/owner, Nomad.PDX, Portland

18. Sande Friedman, education director/cheese director, Tria, Philadelphia

19. Adam Geringer-Dunn & Vincent Milburn, co-owner/chef and co-owner/fishmonger, Greenpoint Fish & Lobster Co., New York

20. Adam Gorski, creative bar lead, La Belle Vie, Minneapolis, Minnesota

21. Alicia Kemper, GM/wine director, fundamental LA, Los Angeles

22. Caitlin Koether, sous chef, Bar Tartine, San Francisco

23. Kevin Law, chef de cuisine, State Bird Provisions, San Francisco

24. Alex Levin, executive pastry chef, Osteria Morini, Washington, DC

25. Lisa Ludwinski, owner/head baker, Sister Pie, Detroit

26. Jack Mason, wine director, Marta, New York

27. Micah Melton, beverage director, The Aviary, Chicago

28. Rebecca Merhej, chef de cuisine/Pastry Chef, Love & Salt, Manhattan Beach

29. Megan Miller, baker/co-owner, Baker Miller, Chicago

30. Misti Norris, executive chef, Small Brew Pub, Dallas

31. Chris Parasiuk, chef, Restaurant Manitoba, Montreal

32. Cappie Peete, director of beverage and education, Neighborhood Dining Group/McCrady's, Charleston

33. Hunter Pond, founder & CEO, East Hampton Sandwich Company, Dallas/Plano/Fort Worth

34. Corey Polyoka, partner/director of operations, Foodshed, Baltimore

35. Julia Poplawsky, butcher, Dai Due, Austin

36. Sean Rieflin, executive chef, 167 Raw, Charleston

37. Ryan Rogers, chef/owner, Feast BBQ, Louisville, KY and New Albany, IN

38. Jose "JoJo" Ruiz, chef de cuisine, Ironside Fish and Oyster, San Diego

49. Annie Rupani, chocolatier/owner, Cacao & Cardamom, Houston, Texas

40. Edward Scarpone, executive chef, DBGB, Washington DC

41. Mara Serna, head chef, D&T Drive Inn, Houston

42. William Sheller, bartender, Liberty, Seattle

43. Daniela Soto-Innes & Mariana Villegas, co-chefs de cuisine, Cosme, New York

44. Joel Stocks, co-owner and co-chef, Holdfast, Portland

45. Colin Stringer & Andon Whitehorn, co-owners/cooks (Whitehorn is also a founder), Nani, Oklahoma City

46. Devon Tarby, partner, Proprietors LLC/The Normandie Club/The Walker Inn, Los Angeles/New York

47. Matt Vawter, chef de cuisine/Proprietor, Mercantile Dining & Provision, Denver

48. Gabrielle Waxman, wine director, Galatoire's Restaurant, New Orleans

49. Joey Ward, executive chef, Gunshow, Atlanta

50. Katherine Whittemore, cook, Palace Diner, Biddeford, ME

Have a testimonial about one of these Young Guns? Share your stories with youngguns@eater.com.