By Hope S. Philbrick and Nancy Wood

What does it take to make it in today’s competitive restaurant scene? Talent? Determination? Blood, sweat and tears?

For the five people Restaurant Informer selected, in partnership with the Georgia Restaurant Association, as the state’s Rising Stars, it’s all of the above and more.

While these five chefs come from varied backgrounds and cook different cuisines, they all have two things in common: A determination to succeed, and a love of cooking. They’re also people who are not only leaders, but mentors to others, whether that’s by teaching kitchen staff how to break down primal cuts or nurturing talent in the people around them.

Read on to learn more about these five talented chefs – no doubt you’ll be hearing their names again in the next few years.

Savannah Sasser

Hampton + Hudson

Atlanta

Read about Savannah Sasser

Woolery “Woody” Back

Coalition Food & Beverage, Alpharetta

Table & Main, Roswell

Read about “Woody”

Matt Weinstein

Executive Chef

ONE Midtown Kitchen

Atlanta

Read about Matt Weinstein 

John Williams

Fred’s Meat & Bread and Yalla

Read about John Williams

John Castellucci

Castellucci Group

Atlanta

Read about John Castellucci