The Art of Plating 16 Rising Star Finalists 2019
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The Art of Plating’s inaugural Rising Talent presented by Valrhona and Revol celebrates the accomplishments of 16 culinary and hospitality professionals (plus one On The Rise) that typically go unrecognized in conventional awards. Choosing standout individuals representing a range of professions – from purveyors and producers to chefs and entrepreneurs – is an acknowledgement that food and hospitality go hand in hand, and depend on a complex ecosystem to survive and thrive.
These Rising Talents are not only leaders in their field of work; they are innovators, risk-takers, and change agents pushing the industry forward and working toward a better, brighter, and more sustainable future.
Tyler Trainum
Farmer at Autumn Olive Farms
Shenandoah Valley, VA
Tyler Trainum has many titles – farmer, butcher, delivery driver, sales rep, and more – at Autumn Olive Farms, his family’s farm in Shenandoah Valley, Virginia, where love and respect for the animals and land come before everything. Trainum, who grew up in North Carolina, has always had ties to agriculture and the outdoors, but his life was forever changed when his parents, who were suffering from health issues, moved to Virginia for the fresh, clean air. They started a farm, which began with free-range invasive plant-eating goats and eventually turned into a full-time heritage meat farm.
The dedication to quality, integrity, and innovation at Autumn Olive Farms has brought awards and renowned restaurants throughout the mid-Atlantic (including Michelin-starred establishments) as weekly customers. Trainum’s proudest accomplishment to date has been starting a business with his family that makes a difference, gives back to the earth, and creates products that bring people joy. For the future, Trainum looks to maintain Autumn Olive Farms’ status as an industry leader in raising, developing, and providing the highest quality meats to their customers. He’s already got some ideas brewing – a processing facility for custom butchery and a charcuterie program, and transforming the old farm house into a space for chefs and artisans to come together and have events.
The Art Of Plating Is Debuting An Awards List Honoring Unsung Heroes Of The Culinary World
The inaugural Rising Talent class of 16 hospitality professionals will include chefs, photographers, farmers, journalists and others moving the industry forward.
Credit: Nader Khoui
When it comes to recognition in the culinary industry, chefs are most often the superstars. They win James Beard awards, they’re the ones representing restaurants at major events like The World's 50 Best Restaurants, and for the particularly famous and talented, new endeavors lead with the chef’s name to generate hype.
But when it comes to the dish you’re served at a restaurant or a tempting dessert you bookmark on your Instagram feed, there are several players who work together to achieve that end result, whether it’s Michelin status or your weekend dinner plans. From foragers and fishermen to food photographers and journalists, the culinary industry is propelled forward by influences beyond that of chefs. In short, there are key individuals that don’t receive the same type of recognition for their efforts.