Last night we also headed to the StarChefs.com Rising Stars Awards and Tasting Gala at Union Market. The restaurant industry magazine honors up-and-coming chefs, pastry chefs, bartenders, sommeliers and artisans from around the country. We snapped Wit & Wisdom’s Shannon Toback and Dawn Trabing, Bourbon Steak’s Mike Shinholt and Aggio’s Liana Shinholt.

This year, 20 chefs from DC, VA and MD were recognized, including Rose’s Luxury's Aaron Silverman, Trummer’s on Main’s Austin Fausett and Rogue 24’s Giane Cavaliere. Here, RANGE’s Zac Hoffman, RE/MAX’s Thomas Doyle, Peter Rankin, and Valrhona’s Anna Basilio and Veronique Even.

Petrossian caviar and champagne was served at the VIP reception before the awards ceremony. Some of our faves from the tasting were Kapnos’ Australian lamb with grain salad, Volt’s wagyu short ribs and Woodberry Kitchen’s buttermilk sorbet. Here, Sofitel’s Chris Wilcox, Abigail Goldstein and Alexandra Byrne.

Guests sipped on featured beverages, including an oloroso float: southern belle imperial brown ale and French press Ethiopian lekepipto. Here, Edward Jones Investments’ Justin Dean, Paychex’s Jeri Van Reenan and Occasions Caterers’ Matt Sipala.