Weiswasser wins ‘best new chef’ award

And the award for best new chef in California goes to ... the Glen Ellen Star’s Ari Weiswasser – at least according to Food & Wine magazine, which last week announced winners of its 2015 People’s Best New Chef online voting contest.

Weiswasser secured enough online votes to earn the California honors in the People’s Best New Chef tally – an extension of Food & Wine’s annual Best New Chef awards.

The Glen Ellen Star specializes in rustic farm-to-table cuisine. Among its most-requested dishes are the split pea and Parmesan soup, and the roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon marmalade.

Weiswasser previously worked at New York’s Restaurant Daniel, Paul Liebrandt’s Corton and Picholine, as well as the French Laundry in Yountville, before opening his barn-themed restaurant in Glen Ellen.

Weiswasser admitted he was excited by the news.

“There are so many good restaurants in this area,” said Weiswasser. “We’re so honored to represent the best restaurants in Sonoma.”

While Weiswasser was named the Golden State’s winner, the candidate with the most votes overall was named “The People’s Best New Chef.” This year, that top honor went to Cory Bahr of Cotton in Monroe, Louisiana.