Eater Young Guns is our annual roll call of the next guard, and last week we began our cross country search to identify the most promising up-and-comers in the restaurant and nightlife world, whether they're working as chefs or line cooks, sommeliers or bartenders, restaurateurs or maître d's. So far there are 850 nominations, but there's always room for more.
The criteria are simple. Nominees must be under 30 years of age (or have worked in their chosen field for less than five years) and must be currently employed in the hospitality industry in the United States or Canada. Though you most likely haven't yet heard their names, they must show extraordinary promise. These kids are the future, those that will soon lead the business but have yet to receive critical attention.
To identify them, we've opened the nomination process up to the public. Know an amazing young sommelier, an empire builder in the making, a burgeoning chef's chef? We want to hear about them. We're asking for your nominations right here. This nomination process will be open through early March.
Then, we'll put our heads together with the legends of the industry in markets across the country who've agreed to serve on the Young Guns deliberation committee. To keep things as transparent as possible, the entire process, from the nominations to the deliberations, will be presented in full view in this space. In June, we'll name this year's class and toast them at a gala event.
But first: nominations. Do you know someone who deserves to be honored as an Eater Young Gun? Fill out the nomination form here; if you have additional supporting materials, please send them our way at youngguns@eater.com.
