Chef Stephen Sawyer of Table 24 Restaurant in downtown Rutland has been honored as one of the country’s top culinary talents in the inaugural edition of Best Chefs America. Chef Sawyer has been showcased in a 386-page coffee table book that was released on March 1, 2013.
Best Chefs America is the first-ever industry peer review guide of chefs. Honorees were chosen based on the outcome of more than 5,000 telephone interviews between chefs from across the country and Best Chefs America analysts. The inaugural edition also features stunning photography and highlights emerging culinary trends and ingredients uncovered during the interviews. Michael Ruhlman, one of the country’s most respected culinary journalists and authors, penned the guide’s foreward.
“Having peers recommend others anonymously speaks volumes,” says Chef Sawyer. “To document all this talent across the country is quite an achievement and is a great resource. I look forward to using it and I’m honored to be included.”
For the past decade, the chef has been celebrated through reviews of food critics, bloggers, reality television and consumer surveys. Now, chefs themselves have a forum to determine the standouts from the star-hungry.
“Chefs know best,” states Bill Blalock, chairman and chief executive officer, Best Chefs America, LLC. “They are very aware of who is consistently at the top of their game and making strides in the industry. We are pleased with the initial response and congratulate those honored in the guide.”
Sections in the guide are broken down geographically and alphabetically. Best Chefs America will be published annually.
Table 24 is located at 24 Wales Street in downtown Rutland. Chef/owner Sawyer is known for house specialties prepared on a wood-fired grill and rotisserie, using seasonal flavors and locally-sourced foods unique to the region. Table 24 is open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday.