RICHMOND, Va. – The fourth annual Elby’s were held Sunday night, presented by Richmond magazine, with a record crowd of more than 500 guests in attendance –who provided entertaining tweets throughout the night.
Named after master chef Chef Paul Elbling who now oversees the French Food Festival, the Elbys are a huge, dazzling local event that recognizes and honors the work of local chefs and restaurateurs.
This year’s awards ceremony and reception were playfully themed “Studio 804,” for all the disco nostalgic fans of long-shuttered ‘Studio 54′ (hence the disco shoe award).
Chef of the Year
Joe Sparatta
Restaurant of the Year
Heritage, which Sparatta co-owns with his wife and brother-in-law. Sparatta, who was recently named a D.C. Rising Star Chef by starchefs.com
Innovator Award
Travis Milton, chef de cuisine at Comfort
Best New Restaurant
L’Opossum
Richmond Stalwart
Acacia mid-town
Rising Culinary Star
Brittany Anderson of Metzger Bar & Butchery
Cocktail Program
The Rogue Gentleman
Wine Program
Acacia mid-town
Beer Program
Saison
Employee of the Year
Kirby Baltzegar of Dutch & Co.
Purveyor of the Year
Autumn Olive Farms
Culinary Students of the Year
Jeremy Evans of Culinard, The Culinary Institute of Virginia College, and Holly Mitchell of J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College
More than 30 local industry professionals, food writers and culinary instructors selected nominees. Awardees were chosen by 11 separate panels of judges, one panel for each category, all from outside Richmond. Read more on Richmond magazine.
