The 2017 Best New Chefs In America Are A Diverse Group

The numerous accolades of the culinary sphere — from the James Beard awards to the World's Best Restaurant list — are routinely criticized for their lack of diversity, a fact that has been called out by Dominique Crenn, who was named the best female chef in the world. But this year's Food & Wine Best New Chefs list of 10 individuals and chef teams includes several women and minorities from all four corners of the United States of food, like Yoshi Okai (Otaku), an Austin sushi chef who values personality and flair over tradition in his work; and Angie Mar of New York City's Beatrice Inn, who is taking the previously masculine steakhouse scene by storm.

This is a step up from last year's Best New Chefs class, which was called out for only including one female chef.

The list of winning chefs is below. The new 2017 class will be honored at the Food & Wine Best New Chefs gala on Tuesday, April 4, at Rock & Reilly's at the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel.

Yoshi Okai, Otaku (Austin, Texas)

Val Cantu, Californios (San Francisco)

Peter Cho, Han Oak (Portland, Oregon)

Sara Kramer and Sarah Hymanson, Kismet (Los Angeles)

Noah Sandoval, Oriole (Chicago)

Jordan Kahn, Destroyer (Los Angeles)

Nina Compton, Compère Lapin (New Orleans)

Diego Galicia and Rico Torres, Mixtli (San Antonio, Texas)

Angie Mar, The Beatrice Inn (New York City)

Jay Blacktington, Hogstone's Wood Oven (Orcas Island, Washington)